Townhouses plan rejected for Strathalbyn, but farm land rezoned for 450 sqm homes

A push for townhouses on farming land in a small country town has been rejected after an outcry by locals, but new homes will be built.

Farming land off Old Bull Creek Rd at Strathalbyn that will be turned into housing.

Hundreds of new homes will be built on vacant land in Strathalbyn despite local opposition, but the planning minister has rejected a push for two-storey townhouses.

Housing Minister Nick Champion has approved a rezoning application by Oakford Homes, paving the way for new homes across about 20ha of land near Old Bull Creek Rd.

The developers sought to rezone the land to ‘Master Planned Township Zone’, which would have allowed two-storey townhouses, no minimum frontage, and a maximum of 285sq m homes.

However, Mr Champion instead extended the nearby Neighbourhood Zone, which allows for a minimum site area of 450sq m for homes, one-storey homes – or an 8m maximum – and 15m frontages.

It also requires 15 per cent affordable homes.

A spokesperson for Mr Champion said one- to two-storey homes would be allowed, as long as it was “consistent” with nearby houses.

Farming land off Old Bull Creek Rd at Strathalbyn that will be turned into housing.

Farming land off Old Bull Creek Rd at Strathalbyn that will be turned into housing.

“I am of the view that this will provide a more appropriate density and design relationship outcome with the Strathalbyn township and lessen potential environment and rural interface impacts,” he said in his letter to Nevarc Developments, which trades as Oakford Homes.

About 9ha was already zoned to allow housing, but the proposed township zone would have extended across the entire 19.9ha.

Planning documents don’t say how many homes are currently planned but earlier plans suggested 275 in total, with about 115 on the section already zoned for residential.

A government spokesperson said the townhouses were rejected after concerns were raised by locals about the affected of increased housing density.

“The minimum block size has been increased to 450 square metres to be consistent with the neighbouring areas,” they said.

“Increasing housing density in this location to the level enabled by the Master Planned Township Zone could potentially impact the look and feel of the existing pattern of development in the township, as well as impact the surrounding rural areas.

“Changing to the Neighbourhood Zone enables a consistent pattern of development to the adjoining residential areas, including building homes of one to two levels.

“Extending the adjoining Neighbourhood Zone will provide a more appropriate density and design in-line with the Strathalbyn township and lessen potential impacts on the surrounding environment and rural areas.”

Under the rezoning, a road to connect future allotments near Abbotts Lane must be built, while open space around Dawson Creek will be increased to 40 metres.

Documents show stage 1 of the housing project includes dozens of homes adjacent to existing homes along Frencham Lane, with an intent to connect the existing road to the new development. The oldest gum tree in the town – which is about 300 years old – will be saved.

Current residential land supply in Strathalbyn provides for around 10 to 15 years’ supply.

Modelling found little risk of flooding for the development from nearby Dawson Creek, which crosses the site.

Oakford Homes was contacted for comment.