Third Molongolo Valley development knocked back in less than a month
The ACT Planning and Land Authority has rejected plans for a 244-home complex in Wright - the third major housing proposal for the Molongolo Valley to be knocked back in less than a month.
The planning authority this week refused 3 Property Group's application to redevelop land at the corner of John Gorton Drive and Opperman Avenue with a six-storey apartment complex, 32 townhouses and a two-level basement carpark.
The authority ruled the so-called "Luxe" estate would have resulted in a major "overdevelopment" of the site, which the Suburban Land Agency earmarked for a maximum of 107 dwellings when it sold the block for $7.1 million in April last year.
It follows the authority's rejection of two developments proposed for Coombs earlier this month. In both cases, the developers had sought approval for a number of apartments which far exceeded the designated dwelling limits for the respective sites.
Zapari Group proposed 212 units at the corner of John Gorton Drive and Terry Connolly Street, almost five times the site's limit.
POD Projects Group's was planning to build 123 units on a 40-unit block at the Arthur Blakeley Way/Colbung Street intersection, before its application was rejected.
Weston Creek Community Council president Tom Anderson welcomed the authority's latest ruling as evidence it was "applying greater rigour" to the assessment of major residential projects.
But Mr Anderson remained concerned about the trend of developers applying for projects which were at odds with local planning rules, saying they created anxiety for the community - even if they were ultimately rejected.
"People are buying property in these areas, thinking that 40 homes, for instance, are allowed on these sites," Mr Anderson.
"Then, all of a sudden a developer applies to put 200 on it and they're thinking 'what on earth is going on?'"
In rejecting the Luxe project, the planning authority's delegate, Chris Gell, found 3 Property Group's proposal breached guidelines for building height, boundary setback, open space, landscape design and access to sunlight.
The proposed development's size, configuration and orientation meant it was unsuitable for the site, according to the assessment. The developer also failed to provide any modelling on potential impacts on the local area, including increased traffic.
Transport Canberra, Icon Water and the Suburban Land Agency also opposed the proposal.
3 Property Group's directors, Gary Kelly and Jaime Farrelly, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.
The Luxe estate, spruiked as Wright's "most luxurious development yet", was to include a "sky pool", gardens and dining areas, an electric car charging station and a gym.
The developer has a wide portfolio of projects across Canberra, including the Soho and Sage developments in Campbell, the Balcombe Terraces in Denman Prospect and Greenway's Avani development.