South Hobart residents appeal council approval of $3m 11-unit development at 14 Kooyong Glen

It might be second time unlucky for an attempt to develop a vacant block in South Hobart after residents appeal the council’s approval of a $3 million residential development.

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A PROPOSED $3 million residential development in South Hobart is out of scale and would negatively impact on surrounding property values, says residents who have appealed the council’s approval of the project.

The application for 11 units at the vacant site of 14 Kooyong Glen was approved by the Hobart City Council planning director in April when planning matters were delegated to council staff rather than elected members during the height of the pandemic restrictions in Tasmania.

The council received 13 public representations objecting to the proposal by Tasmania Wild Experience Pty Ltd.

South Hobart. Cascade Brewery.

The representations raised concerns about the development being “out of scale” for the area, too many dwellings in a “quiet, suburban area” and the potential for property values to fall as a consequence.

“As residents in South Hobart, we feel that it is our mission to protect the heritage value of this area and its rich history, which contributes to what defines Hobart,” wrote one representor.

“The concentration of multiple three storey buildings on the upper portion of the site, immediately adjacent to the heritage precinct would be domineering and detract from the heritage value of the whole area.”

Planning director Neil Noye found the development was not considered to “negatively impact on streetscape and is consistent with the mixture of houses and flats, their height, bulk and setback, within 100m of the site.”

A group of four nearby residents have now appealed the council approval on six grounds, saying the development pushes beyond the reasonable planning limits for traffic safety, streetscape and residential amenity.

The three day appeal hearing begins today at the state’s planning tribunal.

“Kooyong Glen is a narrow road with a steep gradient,” the appeal papers state.

“It is prone to frost and slippery conditions which will increase by way of overshadowing from the proposed development. The nature of Kooyong Glen is not supportive of 77 extra vehicle movements per day without impacting the safety of drivers and pedestrians from the junction to the proposed access.”

Located next to the heritage listed house Fairmont, the 4354m2 block was sold in July last year for $676,900.

The council had approved 12 new units for the site, but the tribunal ruled that a permit be issued for only six units, which the developers did not proceed with.