Planning Minister knocks back plans for five-storey apartment complex at Kew Cottages site
- HARRISON TIPPET
- PROGRESS LEADER
- OCTOBER 24, 2014 12:00AM
Planning Minister Matthew Guy has knocked back an apartment tower for the Kew Cottages site. Picture: Kylie Else
PLANNING Minister Matthew Guy has taken a wrecking ball to controversial plans to build a five-storey apartment block on the former Kew Cottages site.
Mr Guy has refused a planning permit for developer Walker Corporation to build a five-storey, 26-apartment complex, following calls from Boroondara Council and the Kew Cottages Coalition to retain the space as open land.
Mr Guy said the application was rejected because it did not comply with the approved development plan, which had set aside the area as open space.
Kew Liberal candidate Tim Smith welcomed the decision, which he said would give residents peace of mind that open spaces would be protected from inappropriate development.
“This is an important decision for the residents of Kew and our local community who wanted its open space, and the historic Willsmere skyline protected from inappropriate development,” Mr Smith said.
The decision comes a month after Boroondara council joined calls for Mr Guy to reject the apartment block permit.
The Walker Corporation could not be reached for comment.
Read more in next week’s Progress Leader.
http://m.heraldsun.com.au/leader/central/planning-minister-knocks-back-plans-for-fivestorey-apartment-complex-at-kew-cottages-site/story-fngnvlpt-1227100089592
