A development plan near Funfields has been given the greenlight by Whittlesea council.
During last week’s council endorsed a revised proposal for 2388 Plenty Road following community consultation and Department of Transport feedback.
The plan, situated at the southern entry to Whittlesea township, includes two commercial sites, a multi-storey aged care facility, medical centre and retirement living.
Council received 29 submissions about the development plan, including 17 opposing it.
Speaking at last week’s council meeting, Cr Laurie Cox acknowledged community concerns about traffic, especially during peak periods.
“A couple of things worth noting – there is a planned new roundabout and access point to the site and we have taken into account the closeness of that roundabout to the north as well,” Cr Cox said.
“My understanding is that there are further discussions going on with Funfields in terms of access to their site and the proposed roundabout on Plenty Road.”
Cr Cox said the Department of Transport had also reviewed the plan and prompted changes.
“They did not agree with a number of access points to the south side of the proposed roundabout,” Cr Cox said.
“We are very conscious of Plenty Road and the congestion that appears there at different stages during the summer period with both Funfields and also the Whittlesea Show period,”
“I want to assure people in the Whittlesea township that we have taken into account the congestion on Plenty Road and the planning of the site generally.”
A report to the council meeting said residents also felt the development was an overdevelopment and did not align with the existing neighbourhood character of the area.
The report said that as result, council had requested changes to building heights, setbacks and fencing for the site.
The report said that council officers felt the proposal sought to provide a balanced outcome that delivers a community benefit including more diverse housing options and additional employment opportunities to the Whittlesea township through the provision of the residential aged care facility, complementary medical uses and retirement living.
