Denial of proposal

Development nixed

GEELONG council has knocked back a planning application for a four-storey muti-million dollar development in Ocean Grove.

The $4.7 million dollar plans by Planning and Property Partners Pty Ltd were slated for 79 The Parade, spurring concerns among locals.

It was set to include a twolevel basement carpark with 32 car spaces, a retail space, two office spaces and seven apartments with a mix of one, two and three bedrooms.

Ocean Grove Community Association president Phil Edwards said the group was not opposed to development of the site but objected to its “excessive height”.

“The building proposed for 79 The Parade is four-storey, clearly contrary to the height design objective and is considered inappropriate and increasingly completely out of character in this part of Ocean Grove,” Mr Edwards said.

“Further, are we opening the door to even greater height requests by developers …”

City of Greater Geelong planning, design and development director Gareth Smith said the proposal did not satisfy the Ocean Grove Urban Design Framework which required increased setbacks at upper floor levels and improved linkages between Ocean Grove Park and the town centre.

“The Development Hearing Panel determined that the proposed application would require significant design changes if it were to support the proposal,” Mr Smith said.

But a planning report lodged with the City of Greater Geelong said the development maintained the character of The Parade based on similar nearby buildings.

“Through the application of quality and carefully considered architecture, development on this site should add to an improved sense of place and identity for the township more broadly,” the planning report said.

The Geelong Advertiser contacted Planning and Property Partners Pty Ltd for comment.