Councillors urge calm following bitter dispute over garage in Frankston South

A BITTER battle over a barn-style garage in Frankston South has turned so fiery councillors have stepped in to urge calm.

A councillor has asked residents in a Frankston South court to stop getting so angry over their neighbour’s plans to build an oversized garage.

A BITTER battle over a barn-style garage has turned so fiery councillors have stepped in to urge calm.

Avid car collector Robert Allsop wants planning permission to build a five-car garage, shed and alfresco area in his McLean Crt, Frankston South, property.

He simply wanted the garage so his beloved vehicles would not be attacked by rats, his building consultant Leonie Clark told a recent council meeting.

But opponents have got so worked up, Frankston councillor Cr Glenn Aitken begged them to calm down.

“Try and live in harmony,” he told them residents opposed to the plan at the meeting.

“I don’t think it’s worth rancour or bitterness because that’s something that can destroy lives.”

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She said concessions included reducing the scale of the garage and increasing the setback of the shed.

Objectors had told a previous council meeting the scale of the garage was completely out of character, and they feared it would be used as a noisy workshop.

A resident, Peter Mills, said of the garage: “It’s a big barn — that’s the only way you can describe it.

“There’s nothing in the neighbourhood like it. It’s one man’s hobby that’s upsetting the neighbourhood,” he said.

Councillors said the application met planning scheme requirements and voted unanimously in favour.