Development of former Eversleigh site raises ire of Armadale community
A dedicated group of Stonnington neighbours are dusting themselves off for another fight as a developer circles the old site of a house that was built in the 1880s and recently demolished. And the developer has big plans.
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They may have lost the battle to save the 1880s property Eversleigh, but a group of Stonnington neighbours have not given up the fight to stop apartments going up in its place
The group were devastated when the 1880s residence at 34 Armadale St was knocked down last April despite Stonnington Council rejecting Goldfields Group’s proposal for 10 apartments in a three-storey building.
However, it did have a permit for the demolition of Eversleigh, a four-bedroom on a 1722sq m block.
The council successfully defended its decision at VCAT last year.
But the group is gearing up for another fight after a new application — this one asking for 13 apartments within a three-storey building and only catering for the minimum parking requirement — was submitted and rejected by Stonnington Council.
A letter by Raymond Sexton called on councillors to reject “equally insulting second application” as it would “add insult to injury to our Armadale community”.
Stonnington Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos said it was clear Goldfields had looked at VCAT’s decision and “tried to decipher what would be appropriate”.
“Although the planning staff thought it was OK, we are mindful of what the community wants,” he said.
“They are not happy as there are clearly issues with the height, setback and density that needed to be addressed.
“We don’t always fall in line with what the community says but if we’re hearing vehement objection, we have to take that into account.”
Cr Judy Hindle said the development had been a particularly controversial one and that she believed the balance had not been struck with the new proposal, while Cr Melina Sehr said the street was one of the most beautiful in Armadale and anything which went there “must be respectful of that”.
“I wish all the objectors well when we fight this at VCAT because that is where this will be going,” she said.
Cr Stefanopoulos said Stonnington Council would defend its decision at VCAT if needed.
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A 1992 study found the house was not individually significant and a heritage assessment of Victorian homes in 2017 had not deemed it worthy of protection.
The application attracted 31 objections from the community.