The fight goes on to save a Kingswood villa from demolition despite the rejection of Aston Martin showroom plans
Protesters say a Kingswood turn-of-the-century villa has been saved from being razed for a luxury car showroom but the owners can still demolish it at any time.
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Plans by a luxury car retailer to demolish a turn-of-the-century villa in Kingswood for an Aston Martin showroom have failed.
But protesters say the house has still not been saved from the bulldozers.
Mitcham Council has dismissed Solitaire Motors’ plan to raze the 10-room property, located next to a historic conservation zone, to make way for a new prestige vehicle dealership at 17 Belair Rd.
The proposed showroom, five metres high with a carpark at the back, was fiercely opposed by local residents and heritage building supporters.
Lead protester Jen Byrne said there was still confusion throughout the precinct.
“I’ve had a number of phone calls and people stopping me in the street to say thank you for saving the house at 17 Belair Rd – but that’s not the case,” Ms Byrne said.
“I have had to explain to them that the house is not safe, as Solitaire can demolish it without anyone being informed.
“They just can’t build a car showroom.”
Mitcham Council’s assessment panel dismissed Solitaire’s application because it did not comply with the local planning code.
To win approval, developments for the area must be within a defined range of small-scale trading outlets and services that cater for the neighbourhood’s day-to-day needs.
The panel also ruled the proposed building did not “speak to the character” of the area and did nothing to “improve its amenity”.
Solitaire representatives argued their proposal was not an expansion of the company’s extensive operations opposite the villa.
The company already has showrooms for Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volkswagen vehicles on the western side of Belair Road, in Hawthorn.
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Defending the protest group’s stance, Ms Byrne said the area was already a “soulless strip of road” and the villa needed protecting.
“Unfortunately there are no protections in place to prevent the old house from being demolished,” she said.
“As a community, we need to start better recognising the role that aesthetically pleasing and historic buildings and the natural environment play in the wellbeing of everyone.”
Solitaire Motors has been contacted for comment.