By Shelby Brooks
Two-storey alterations to a home in an Beaconsfield Upper green-wedge area have been approved by the state’s planning tribunal despite Cardinia Shire Council’s opposition.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal member Tracy Watson overturned Cardinia Shire’s original decision to block the alterations to the home, garage and outbuilding at 197 Quamby Road, Beaconsfield Upper, provided developers adhere to strict changes.
The site is in the scenic, rural Green Wedge A zone, next door to the heritage garden site known as Staverton.
Ms Watson said it was argued the development was “visually intrusive” to neighbours due to the light and bright colour palette and its elevated ridgeline position.
But she found the footprint of the new dwelling was acceptable due to it being largely based on the existing dwelling’s footprint.
However, the proposed dwelling’s 12.325 metre height was “inconsistent with the character of the area”, it was noted.
Ms Watson ordered the home could not exceed 8.5 metres in height.
In addition, the garage and loft building plans were reduced to single-storey.
Ms Watson said the development couldn’t become a cluster of relatively closely spaced two-storey forms.
She also ordered the development’s colour palette should be changed to “more muted tones”.
“Subject to these changes, I am satisfied that the overall development will not adversely impact the existing rural character and scenic landscape setting of the subject site and surrounds, and will not have an unreasonable visual bulk impact on the abutting properties,” she said in her ruling.
“There is an identified locally significant heritage garden abutting the subject site known as Staverton.
“I find that the proposal does not adversely affect the heritage significance of the abutting heritage place.
“In other words, I am requiring the deletion of the upper level of the new garage structure on character grounds, and not because of the heritage status of the abutting property to the north.”
