By Laura Michell
A three-storey development in Thomastown has been approved by Whittlesea council despite a number of councillors saying they did not like the application.
The development at 47-53 The Boulevard comprises 20 one and two-bedroom apartments, with 20 parking spaces contained in a basement.
The council received 11 objections to the application, with neighbours raising concerns about the height of the development, overshadowing and overlooking of adjoining land, insufficient parking and increases in traffic.
But council officers recommended a permit be granted, finding the proposal was in keeping with the council’s housing diversity strategy and was located within a neighbourhood renewal change area which permitted triple-storey developments.
A majority of councillors voted to approve the application on the grounds that it met state government and council planning requirements.
Mayor Lawrie Cox said he did not like the application and was concerned there was a lack of visitor parking. However, he said the council needed to follow its planning policies.
“A similar two-storey apartment in a side street was set aside by VCAT. As a planning authority we need to be responsible.”
Councillors Alahna Desiato and Caz Monteleone, who voted against the application, said the development should not be approved just because it met the conditions of the housing diversity strategy.
“Just because it meets most of the requirements doesn’t make it moral,” Cr Monteleone said.
“We need to consider neighbours. I know if I was living next to this building I would have concerns.”
Cr Desiato said Thomastown residents deserved better planning from the council.
