Magnolia Apartments Doncaster: owners’ fury as new 45m tower will block their views

LUXURY apartment dwellers in Doncaster’s tallest building are fuming after the council approved plans for an even bigger tower nearby — because it will block their views.

Magnolia will no longer be Doncaster’s tallest building with the approval of a new tower — and residents aren’t happy. Picture: Ellen Smith

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A HUGE 13-storey apartment block is set to become the tallest building in Manningham, angering residents in a nearby tower who are fuming it will block their views.

Manningham Council has approved plans to build the 45m tower, which includes 161 apartments, a restaurant, and three shops, at 666 Doncaster Rd.

The development will block the views of some residents living in the 14-storey luxury Magnolia Apartments in Hepburn Rd, which is about 42m.

The council gave the nod to the latest proposal for Doncaster Hill despite receiving 22 objections from Magnolia apartment owners.

They also got about six complaints from other nearby homeowners, with other concerns including increased traffic congestion in Doncaster Rd.

The new apartment building will replace a double-storey office block.

Town planner and former councillor Stephen O’Brien said people buying into high-rise developments should be aware they could lose their views.

Mr O’Brien said while concerns about overshadowing or privacy were valid there were no protections for views built in to Manningham’s planning scheme.

“I understand that people buy an apartment with a nice view but it’s not guaranteed for ever and people need to understand that,” he said.

Mr O’Brien said people “asked the obvious question” if there was vacant land or a demolition occurring in front of an apartment they were planning to buy.

“But if there’s four or five houses you have to ask the same question because it could easily be bought by a developer,” he said.

Manningham Council has also approved another high-rise development at 642-648 Doncaster Rd, which will soar to 43m.

The usual height limit for the area is about 40m but designs “that offset the upper levels to reduce impact on visual amenity” can go up to about 48m.