Developers reveal plans for three-storey apartment block in the heart of Highton

Social media has lashed the design of a proposed Highton apartment block, with some tipping fierce opposition to a ‘wildly inappropriate’ development. But others say it’s just what Geelong needs.

Developers have unveiled plans to demolish a single Highton home to make way for a three-storey apartment block across the road from the suburb’s main recreation reserve.

A planning application lodged with the City of Greater Geelong sets out the $4m bid to bulldoze a single-storey brick house on a 711sq m block of land at the corner of Barrabool Rd and Duggan Crt, making way for the three-storey, nine-apartment development.

Artist's impression of Highton apartment development

The apartment block would house seven two-bedroom and two three-bedroom apartments and a 10 space basement carpark with space for four bikes to be parked.

The development has since come under fire on social media for its design

Twitter user Daniel Gregorio said: “I’m all for urban development and apartment blocks, but this is ugly af”, while television presenter and Geelong region local Catriona Rowntree exclaimed: “How revolting”.

Facebook was not much kinder, with Janine West calling it a “mini civic car park”, while Tash Mor labeled it an “eye sore”.

Andy Pobjoy expected the opposition to be fierce, saying: “Watch the Highton residents tee off on this one. It’s wildly inappropriate for the area. Developments like this do not belong in Greater Geelong.”

But some readers, such us Tobias Longbottom via Twitter, defended the structure as “terrific”.

“I think it looks terrific. We need to facilitate more of this type of development. People need homes. And especially when they can walk to everything they generally need daily,” he said.

Sarah Hathway said such suburban developments would be needed moving forward.

“The constant urban sprawl can’t go on forever, and we can’t overly congest the CBD either. Two and three story apartment buildings in other central suburbs are needed.”

A planning report for the project said apartment living demand was on the rise in the area.

“The proposal will provide an architectural designed multi-unit development within the centre of Highton, meeting the increasing demand for apartment living within proximity to a variety of retail and commercial services, parks and community services,” it said.

Artist's impression of Highton apartment development

“The development has been designed to reflect the emerging character of the area and ensure the amenity of surrounding properties is maintained.”

Planning documents argue traffic increases caused by the new development would be “low in traffic engineering terms, and will be adequately absorbed into the surrounding road network”.

The public notification period for the planning application will remain open until October 23.

Originally published as Developers reveal plans for three-storey apartment block in the heart of Highton