GCC has lodged an objection to a development application for six townhouses on Hoskins Street Franklin.

This DA is on an allotment that allows for just four townhouses. Squeezing an extra two residences onto the site not only would deliver a windfall profit to the developer, it would lead to serious compromises on the visual and residential amenity of the location.

Traffic in the small rear land way would be increased 50 per cent over the subdivision plan provisions. No space is allowed for visitor parking. The total private open space is substantially short of the required amount.

In addition, the subdivision development conditions require variety among adjacent buildings. Yet already the LDA has allowed a string of six identical townhouses immediately south of this block. And this proposal would add four identical facades to Hoskins Street. Are they intent on creating another Anthony Rolfe Drive in Franklin??

Our biggest concern though is that the LDA has endorsed this DA to be sent to ACTPLA for approval. When the planners at ACTPLA are stretched, it is somewhat understandable that they may be tempted to not look  too deeply if there is an LDA endorsement. But how is it that the LDA (as an agency of the government) can so clearly ignore their own development conditions?

Given the numerous failures to comply with both the Territory Plan and the development conditions, GCC believes the development application should be refused. The applicant should submit a proposal that complies, is limited to four units in total, and introduces variety in the way it presents to the street.

Moreover, the LDA should be required to explain the process whereby they endorse plans that so clearly do not comply with the approved development conditions.