Second knockback for Drysdale townhouses

A TOWNHOUSE block for Drysdale has received its second rejection after the state planning umpire upheld a City of Greater Geelong (COGG) decision to deny the proposal.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) last month heard and handed down a decision on a plan for six terrace-style townhouses at 8 Granville Street, ruling that the proposal was at odds with the character of its surroundings and should not proceed.

Melbourne-based developers, Planning and Design Pty Ltd, had applied to the tribunal in protest of a council call to block a construction permit.

VCAT senior member Margaret Baird found that the planned building facade would have too great of an impact on its surrounding streetscape, clashing with its neighbouring buildings.

“I find that there are a number of design features of the proposal that are an inappropriate design response and give rise to poor internal amenity for future residents and others attending the land,” she said.

The parties referred to the Granville Street plan as a “first cab off the rank” regarding development in the area, which is earmarked for development in COGG city planning due to its prime location close to Drysdale’s town centre and recreation reserve.

Member Baird said she had no issue with the scale of the two-storey, seven-metre buildings in the area, nor the concept of attached townhouses.

However, she indicated her decision reflected that a higher decision threshold was required due to likely future development, because the build could “be expected to set the tone for the type of acceptable development into the future”.