Planning permit for ‘residential village’ in the heart of Cowes denied by council

The development of a residential village aimed to provide more affordable housing in the heart of Cowes has been denied by council.

A proposal for a new residential village to more affordable housing to Bass Coast’s ageing population has been denied by the local council.

Bass Coast Shire Council voted on Wednesday not to grant a permit allowing the construction of a gated community which would have contained 277 unregistered movable dwelling sites and 23 different movable dwelling sites.

The proposal, which council staff recommended councillors approve, planned to provide “diversity in the housing stock providing a quality of housing which is greater than a caravan park but more affordable than traditional dwellings”.

The residential village would have included a clubhouse, with amenities for those living in the village.

A residential village is described by council as “an alternative form of permanent accommodation where residents own the dwelling but lease the land which the dwelling is sited”.

The village was proposed to have been built in the heart of Cowes along Justice Rd, Settlement Rd, and Church St.

Council received 15 objections to the proposal, which centred around themes of overdevelopment and loss of open space.

The development of a residential village in the heart of Cowes aimed at giving mature residents a more affordable housing option has been denied by council.

However, the proposal stated residential villages were a “different – legitimate form of permanent accommodation”.

Councillor Ron Bauer said he could not support the proposal as it would have given a “Melbourne suburban look” to the community.

“I have seen pictures of African slavery ships that have more room,” he said.

“I have a problem with the amount of dwellings proposed — they are so tightly packed you can hardly fit a flower pot between them.”

Councillor Rochelle Halstead called the development a “glorified trailer park” and said while it was recommended for over 55s it was not a requirement which could result in families ending up in a place not suitable for them.

Councillor David Rooks was in support of the development but was ultimately outvoted with only three others voting in the development’s favour.

“This development would free up about 280 houses in the Bass Coast which will address the short supply of rental properties,” Mr Rooks said.

However, Councillor Bruce Kent disagreed. He said those moving in would have to “buy into” the dwellings.

“If people are moving out of houses they own to move in, they will likely sell them and it is unlikely people will move from a rental property to buy a place in the village,” he said.

Rochelle Halstead, Bruce Kent, Ron Bauer, Bret Tessari and Clare Le Serve voted down the proposal, while David Rooks, Les Larke, Leticia Lang, and Mayor Michael Whelan voted in favour.