By Jessica Micallef
By Jessica Micallef
An application for a two year extension to a planning permit to build a supermarket in Riddells Creek has been knocked back by Macedon Ranges council.
The landowners requested an extension to make the site “attractive” to potential buyers.
However, Cr Jennifer Anderson said the original application presented to the council 10 years ago was no longer appropriate today.
“We need a fresh application for this site,” she said.
“Riddells Creek has come a long way in trying to define its character and the planning scheme has matured.
“We have an opportunity here for a brilliant design, a fresh application, something that will probably get less objections because a new application could work with the community.
“I feel there has been enough changes in the community, in the neighbourhood character … for this to require a fresh application that can get a much better outcome for this site and for the community.”
An application to build a supermarket at 1-3 Station Street, including 16 shops, a cafe and car park spaces, was originally presented to the council in 2010.
The permit was granted in February 2013, however objectors lodged an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The matter was heard in November 2014 and VCAT upheld the council’s decision.
A planning permit was reissued in December 2014.
At the time, the applicant had until December 2017 to commence the development and December 2019 for completion.
In December 2017, council officers granted a further two-year extension to commence development and be completed by December 2021.
A second request for an extension of time was put forward to councillors at their meeting last month.
Applicant representative Andrew McPherson said the original landowners no longer had the “appetite” to complete the development and would prefer to sell the site.
He said an extension was needed to ensure the planning permit was “attractive” to potential buyers.
“We have a real estate agent that has been employed for the last two years and they have to have two potential purchasers in the wings just waiting to look at a planning permit and then we can look at the sale process from there,” he said.
All councillors refused to grant an extension.
