By Jessica Micallef
Macedon Ranges council has knocked back a planning permit application to subdivide two existing lots at a Romsey site.
The application, which proposed to subdivide two lots into 15 lots at 142 and 144 Barry Street, Romsey about 700 metres west of the town centre, divided councillors at their meeting last month.
The application proposed an average lot size of 928 square metres after subdivision.
The application was advertised and six objections were received raising concerns about traffic, tree removal, child safety and the proposal being contrary to the neighbourhood character.
Cr Bill West said the subject land being within walking distance of township amenities was enough to convince him the application should be approved.
“Romsey has grown quickly in recent years and I feel approval for this subdivision would be a positive move at this stage,” he said.
“There are similar size blocks in the town the same distance from amenities.”
Cr Mandi Mees said the application provided housing diversity close to the heart of Romsey, however Cr Natasha Gayer said the lot sizes proposed in the application were not appropriate, given the site had been allocated a minimum size of 1200 square metres per lot.
“I know that Romsey is growing and I absolutely agree that we need development in Romsey and other towns, but I think it still needs to comply with the planning scheme and neighbourhood character,” she said.
“There is an expectation in this precinct …for larger lots.
“The proposal does not respect the neighbourhood character.”
