By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Twin double-storey units have been approved in a Eumemmerring backyard despite opposition from Casey Council.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal member Megan Carew granted the permit at the rear of a one-storey house at 26 McLennan Street.
Casey had originally refused the permit in the predominantly single-storey neighbourhood.
It remained opposed to amended plans, which still “squeezed“ the two-bedroom dwellings with single car spaces into the back yard.
The pair of homes would create “unacceptable visual bulk” , Casey argued.
They did not fit Doveton-Eumemmerring’s neighbourhood character policy, which was for “established, diverse areas with attractive, open, treed streetscapes and a strong, proud sense of place”, according to the council.
On 17 July, Ms Carew ruled there was no dispute that the site was suitable for medium density housing.
“The area does have an open feel, but the traditional suburban character is changing with new redevelopment occurring for medium density housing.”
She noted that next-door sites recently added extra backyard dwellings – albeit single-storey units.
Ms Carew found there was sufficient space for canopy trees to “contribute” to the area’s garden character.
She granted a permit with further alterations, including enlarging the private open space.
