Comments By VCAT on 10 Witham Drive Coldstream

Below are some comments made by Christina Fong, Member (VCAT) on the reasons she permitted a dual occ at 10 Witham Drive.  It should also be noted that these comments can apply to most of the other sites as well.

The site is in the Residential 1 Zone. Dwelling use is as-of-right in this zone. Urban consolidation, making efficient use of existing infrastructure and channelling urban type housing into urban areas are themes of the Scheme.

Clause 21.04 broadly categorises residential areas of Yanra Ranges into Metropolitan Residential Areas, Foothills Residential Areas and Rural Townships. Whilst this policy specifically mentioned the larger metropolitan centres such as Lilydale and Chirnside and larger rural townships such as Healesville and Yarra Glen where higher density is encouraged, it is silent on the next tier of rural townships.

The review site, although not located in one of the larger townships where higher density is specifically encouraged, meets the assessment criteria for additional housing in this policy: it is a fully serviced lot, located in a township that provides commercial and community facilities, served by public transport; and the impact of the proposal on the built environment of the township minor.

Review applicants criticised the proposal as one that is not compatible with the existing neighbourhood character of the area: one of single dwellings_ Design response to neighbourltood character is not about maintaining the status quo of an area, but whether a proposal is respectful o: this character.

The development will be visible from the backyards of adjoining dwellings_ Being visible is not a reason to refuse the application. Further, it meets Standard B 18, the corresponding standard in Clause 55. As such, the objectives of the clause have been met without the need to refer to decision guidelines of that clause.