Nine-bedroom rooming house proposed in Norlane

A nine-bedroom rooming house has been proposed for the backyard of a Norlane property.

The application would subdivide the property at 27 Spruhan Avenue to allow construction of a single-storey development containing nine bedrooms centred around shared kitchen, dining and living areas.

Each bedroom would include its own en suite, while access to the development would be via an extension of the existing driveway.

The plans also provide for one standard and one accessible car parking space.

In its planning assessment, Melbourne-based Planning and Design said the site was well-suited to the development because of its proximity to public transport, shops, schools and open space.

“This will encourage residents to use sustainable transport modes such as walking, cycling and public transport,” the firm wrote in its report.

The report argues the proposal is an appropriate form of infill development, noting several townhouse and multi-dwelling developments already exist in the surrounding neighbourhood.

It says the rooming house would increase housing diversity and provide a more affordable housing option.

“Dwellings will vary in size and layout to offer greater housing diversity and choice to the neighbourhood,” the report says.

“Housing affordability is encouraged as multi-dwelling developments are relatively more affordable in comparison to low-density developments.”

The works are estimated to cost $517,000.

Public submissions on the application closed on Sunday.