Larter St

Wow is there no stopping progress at any cost? Because it will cost us a lot in the long run, much more than the cost in the short run for developers building these hopelessly inadequate responses to our Neighbourhood Character.

This is what local resident Lucy Brisbane wants to bring to our attention:

• DEVELOPMENT NUMBER:PLP/2011/983
• DEVELOPER: Garijon Pty Ltd
• SITE:105 Larter Street, Ballarat East, Vic 3350
• APPLICATION: Proposed planning permit for (3) additional dwellings

There is no date for objections because the development has already been advertised. Lucy attended a mediation with other objectors early tonight but the developer didn’t both turning up.

Let’s hear from Lucy:

I have lived in Larter Street for over 25 years. There were actually sheep in the yard across the road, which has now been developed to contain two substantial homes. As you can see the neighbourhood is quite diverse.

I am not opposed to progress and development per se, but I feel that the proposed development at 105 Larter Street is out of character with the surrounding neighbourhood and also previous developments that have taken place in this area. In particular, the proposal of a double storey building at the rear of the property seems totally out of character in this area.

I believe good development can add to the value of surrounding properties, but over-development can, in turn, lead to a downgrading of the neighbourhood character and lack of respect for all surrounding properties.

I have looked at ‘Garijon’s’ website and notice that their homes seem of a high standard, which is great. I have also looked at their development at 104 Ripon Street South, which has a variety of levels, and looks interesting, but is not a double storey.

I believe that the design response has not addressed the impact the double storey proposed building in the development at the rear of the 105 Larter Street will have on the neighbourhood character. It states 55.1.2 “minimum impact on the streetscape’’ and it is unclear what impact the double storey will have from the frontage of the property (especially once the leaves drop from the huge deciduous trees in Larter Street) and also from the rear of the property which backs onto the Pennyweight Park Reserve.

Having taken photos of the area and attempted to visualise the streetscape driving west down York Street, I believe the double storey residence at the rear of the proposed development will look like a very out of character, solid, squarish, monolithic structure.

Lucy is currently working to get the attention of her neighbourhoods and the Councillors.