The City of Greater Geelong’s Planning Committee has refused to grant a Planning Permit to develop land at 65-105 Lings Road, Connewarre for a restaurant, function centre and children’s farm.
The committee found that the proposed development did not comply with the Planning Policy Framework, Farming Zone objectives and policies, the Bellarine Peninsula Localised Planning Statement Sept 2015 and the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
The site is in a Farming Zone and comprises of two lots, with a dwelling and outbuildings. The application proposed modifications to the existing machinery shed to accommodate a function centre and to convert a shearing shed into a restaurant.
The application has gone through public notification three times, during which 150 objections were lodged, raising concerns such as noise, increased traffic and environmental and agricultural impacts. The application was then amended to reduce the use of the proposed site.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
It was appropriate to refuse a Planning Permit for this application.
Having considered the community feedback and the officer report, the Planning Committee found that the proposed development would compromise Connewarre’s rural character and result in potential detrimental environmental impacts to the nearby Murtnaghurt Lagoon.
