By Ewen McRae
Brimbank council has knocked back a planning permit for an Albion development after a community outcry.
While council officers endorsed the development at 63 Derrimut Street, Albion, a community petition against it prompted councillors to deny the permit.
The development would have included five double storey units replacing a single storey weatherboard dwelling.
Council officers recommending approving the permit, however councillor John Hedditch proposed an alternate motion to refuse the permit, saying it was “out of character with the area” and was an “over development of the land”.
“We met with residents on the site, and there was a whole range of local area issues identified around the impact on the street,” Cr Hedditch said.
“We have a real range of problems here, especially the massing of five small homes on the one thin site is seen as problematic.”
Cr Virginia Tachos also spoke against approving the permit.
“I’ve read the 19 objections, and they all tend to say that there is that character of the area that is an issue and they want that retained,” she said.
“We’re talking about respecting our local amenities.
“This is a family area that is already busy, and five properties on the one block is not in keeping with the local character.”
Cr Bruce Lancashire supported approving the permit, saying it met all the requirements under the planning scheme.
“I support the recommendation of the officers. I believe they have done their job very well and responsibly, and negotiated a very good result for this development,” he said.
“It complies with the requirements [and] it also fits into the neighbourhood character of the area.
“In terms of affordable housing, going from one house to five is all about providing and improving affordable housing for our residents.”
The permit was refused by a vote of eight to two.
