A 1980s building in the Victorian town of Bendigo will not be demolished after the city’s councillors voted against the development plans. ??
The councillors were recommended by a staff member to approve the demolition to make way for a three storey development; instead they approved an alternative plan with tougher design conditions.
A similar proposal was rejected almost two years ago. ??The $6.5 million development application by e+architecture was to include two ground floor shops and seven apartments.??
The site at 177-179 View Street has been the target of developers since October 2006 when the first plans were lodged, but over the years the project has become plagued by local objections. ??
Four objections were received to the current proposal on the grounds of lack of parking, height, overdevelopment, design, overlooking, and traffic. ??The site is currently occupied by an old butchers shop and a more modern shop, setback seven metres with space for approximately two car parks.??
Bendigo Mayor, Kevin Gibbins, said the developer will now have to decide whether building goes ahead. ??"Concern of most of the councillors was, View Street has a significant heritage aspect to it and whilst we welcome the application, councillors feel it needs to have some heritage influence at the front," he said.
??e+architects other works include Girton Grammar Performing Arts Building, the Norman Disney & Young office building and the Australian Technical College, Bendigo.
