The proposed 14-storey development included a supermarket, café, place of assembly and dwellings.

At a Council Meeting on Tuesday 5 February 2019, Councillors unanimously voted to issue a Notice of Refusal to Grant a Planning Permit for the development and has maintained this position throughout the entire VCAT process.

Glen Eira Mayor Cr Margaret Esakoff said Council is very pleased with the decision of VCAT to uphold its decision and refuse a planning permit for the development.

“Although it is accepted that the site can support a higher level of development, the proposal did not appropriately respond to the relevant provisions of the Glen Eira Planning Scheme,” she said.

“The height, form, scale and design detail of the proposed development was excessive and would appear overly dominant from the immediate surrounding streets and in views along Glen Huntly Road.”

VCAT shared these concerns but was clear that the site is capable of accommodating higher built form with an appropriate design response.

Cr Esakoff said Council acknowledges that there were positive aspects of the proposal, including the provision of a place of assembly which incorporates a library and multipurpose spaces.

“However, the broader impact of the proposal outweighed the benefits that this would have for the community,” she said.