Banyule Council refuses Leather Living Pty Ltd development

A developer has been sent back to the drawing board after failing for a third time to pass plans for a new apartment building. Critics agreed the site was out of character and would stick out like a sore thumb.

An artist’s impression of the building at 175 Cape St, Heidelberg.

A developer has struck out after trying three times to redevelop in a quiet residential street in Heidelberg.

The permit application was for eight apartments and an underground car park to replace a single-storey family home.

A total of 48 objections were filed against the plans for 175 Cape St, Heidelberg.

At the March 16 Banyule Council meeting councillors knocked back the application, arguing it would not fit in with the neighbourhood character and had poor open space.

Neighbours were concerned the apartments would look straight into their backyards.

The proposal, from Leather Living Pty Ltd, asked for a two-storey building with one 3-bedroom and seven 2-bedroom dwellings.

The 836sq m block was sold in March 2016 for $1.35 million.

Objector Chiho Yoshikoshi said neighbours were “very concerned” with the plans, believing the second storey balconies would look straight into their backyards and homes.

“It seems inconsistent with existing neighbourhood character,” Ms Yoshikoshi said.

“It will have a significant amenity impact on us and our neighbours.”

Banyule councillor Tom Melican agreed.

Banyule Councillor Tom Melican said the changes didn’t go far enough. Picture: Alex Sibbison

“This proposal would be a massive change in the streetscape,” Mr Melican said.

“There’s nothing else like it anywhere near it.”

Leather Living took Banyule Council to VCAT in June 2018 after they refused an application for six townhouses on the same block.

The original plans refused by the council were reduced from eight dwellings to six.

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Mr Melican said while the applicant had made some changes from the VCAT application he didn’t believe the changes went far enough.

Councillors also refused a permit for a building with a retail space on the ground and five apartments across five levels.

They agreed the plans for 169 Burgundy St, Heidelberg would not add to the activity centre and would take away from potential to develop other properties nearby.