By Jackson Russell
Mitchell Shire Council has approved a block of seven townhouses in Victoria Street, Seymour despite being described as ‘problematic’ by some councillors.
The major concern with the development is accessibility issues, with the property at the end of a no-through road, adjacent to railway lines and a single driveway giving access to the site which contains seven garages.
The permit was approved after amended conditions were moved by Cr Rhonda Sanderson, adding ‘appropriate barrier protection’ between the site access and neighbouring pedestrian underpass.
The permit was approved six to two, with Cr Fiona Stevens and Mayor David Lowe voting against the development.
Cr Stevens said it was a problematic site and took issue with the accessibility.
“We’ve discussed poor planning decisions that have been made allowing a ‘one way in, one way out’ situation,” she said.
“No amount of conditions will solve this unless there is an alternate exit.”
Cr Sanderson said anyone who had been to the site knew there was a horrible accessibility issue.
“People will have to have their wits about them as it’s a very narrow driveway,” she said.
“It’s a horrible site and there are a lot of challenges for anyone who wants to build here.
“We’ve made the conditions as strong as we can to make the site as safe as we can.”
