A FORESHORE redevelopment is dividing St Leonards residents after gaining approval from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.<\/p>\n
Developer AGD Monea Holdings was granted the planning permit for a three-storey development at 1-2 Bluff Road following last month\u2019s hearing.<\/p>\n
The approved $4.5 million multi-use development includes the construction of five commercial spaces featured on the ground floor and 15 apartments overlooking Port Phillip Bay.<\/p>\n
Beginning on June 16, the hearing followed the City of Greater Geelong\u2019s disapproval of the submitted plans stating the proposal would be \u201cincompatible with the town\u2019s identity and role\u201d.<\/p>\n
VCAT member Michael Nelthorpe ruled in favour of the proposal, finding \u201cthe council\u2019s argument is too heavily weighted towards the existing situation and has little regard for the future for St Leonards\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe role, identity and scale of St Leonards is not solely defined by its current size and low scale development,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe planning provisions and policies anticipate a moderate degree of change.<\/p>\n
\u201cI consider that a modern, mixed use building containing shops and apartments is within the range of this moderate degree of change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Nelthorpe further disagreed with council\u2019s submissions suggesting the development would limit the views along Murradoc Road to and from the pier.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ground and first floor setbacks align with the facades of existing commercial buildings and built form on the second floor is setback six metres from the property boundary,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn effect, the view line is maintained.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the site currently being used as a gravel carpark, community members have shared their mixed views on the community Facebook page.<\/p>\n
One Facebook user commented \u201cwhat\u2019s the point in having a government and council plan for the Bellarine for sympathetic coastal design when inappropriate designs keep getting approved?\u201d, while another said \u201cgrowth is inevitable\u201d.<\/p>\n
Once constructed, the site will be located opposite of the St Leonards Hotel on the main shopping precinct and a short distance away from the pier and lake reserve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A FORESHORE redevelopment is dividing St Leonards residents after gaining approval from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Developer AGD Monea Holdings was granted the planning permit for a three-storey development at 1-2 Bluff Road following last month\u2019s hearing. The approved $4.5 million multi-use development includes the construction of five commercial spaces featured on the […]<\/p>\n