A 31-TOWNHOUSE development on the former Ballarat Memorial Servicemen’s Bowling Club site has been given the green light.
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The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal recently overturned a June 26 Ballarat City Council decision to refuse the proposal, with VCAT ruling the bulk of the units wouldn’t be visible.
The Drummond Development’s plan is for five different townhouse types, made of brick and cement, with two or three bedrooms, on the Drummond Street North site.
An internal road will provide an entry and exit point onto Drummond Street North, with the site also facing onto Creswick Road.
The proposal includes a communal park, barbecue pavilion, eating area, paving, raised lawn, landscaped garden beds and five visitor car parks, while a historically significant house fronting Creswick Road will be retained.
The council originally knocked back the application on the grounds it would adversely affect the neighbourhood character and heritage, and failed to provide adequate traffic and access arrangements.
VCAT senior member Anthony Liston said only one unit would face onto Drummond Street North and it was “an appropriate infill building”.
“The limited presence of the land within the surrounding streetscapes ensures that the proposed development will not unreasonably affect the character of the broader neighbourhood,” Mr Liston’s ruling said.
He also said there would be some plan amendments to change building heights, proposed setbacks and the relationship of the proposed buildings to neighbouring backyards.
He said this would ensure “the proposed development will not unreasonably affect the amenity or backyard character of adjoining properties”.
Resident concerns about extra traffic in the already busy area were also over-ruled.
“The evidence before me (also) does not support a contention that the proposed access arrangements are unsafe or that the volume of traffic generated by the proposal cannot be acceptably absorbed into the surrounding road network.”
fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au