Apartments plan gets tick

•   An impression of the proposed apartments from Bentley Street. 

By Tony Scott,
July 21, 2021

The development of a 12-apartment project at Bridport has been approved by Dorset Council acting as a planning authority.

The Velo on Bentley project has been proposed by Launceston-based Mandie Austin through her development company Makeda Constructions.

She said two of the luxury three-bedroom units, to be stratum titled, have already conditionally sold off the plan. 

Ms Austin attended the Council meeting to watch consideration of her application.

Town planner Thomas Wagenknecht said the project had to be presented to the Council because, with an estimated build value of $8 million, it exceeded the level for officer delegated authority.

His report said the site, with frontage to both Bentley and Main Streets, would be provided with 32 secure underground car parking spaces.

“The existing vehicle access point from Bentley Street would be upgraded and widened to provide simultaneous entry and exit movements to and from the underground car parking.

“The existing vehicle access point from Main Street would remain unchanged and would only be utilised infrequently for property maintenance purposes.”

He said the old service station site had been decommissioned, including its underground tanks in 2004 and it had been vacant since.

Although the proposed development had a total floor area of 3406 square metres over three storeys, including the car parks, the building footprint would be only 1100 square metres or only 23 per cent of the total site area. 

There had been no submissions during the public advertising period for the plan.  

Mr Wagenknecht’s recommendation to approve the planning application was approved by the Council unanimously subject to eight regular conditions.

Several Council members were congratulatory of the developer and the plan.

Councillor Jerrod Nichols said the fact there were no submission received indicated there was community support

“Certainly the Council will benefit from the project because there’ll be a fair contribution to rates revenue.”

Councillor Leonie Stein said it was lucky there were people with such community spirit.

“I think it’s great,” she said.