MCC rebuffs Becton's new bid

By ALISON DEAN

Melbourne City Council looks set to reject amended plans for the controversial $70 million student accommodation development next to Melbourne University.

The council's planning committee chairwoman, Catherine Ng, said Becton's new plans for a five to seven-storey residential complex on the site bounded by Faraday, Swanston, Elgin and Cardigan streets in Carlton failed to address major concerns about height, bulk and heritage.

"The alterations to the plans are not sufficient," Cr Ng said.

She said the plans still proposed a "wall" of buildings along Swanston Street, which would set up a barrier between the university precinct and the rest of Carlton.

She also criticised the height of the buildings behind Faraday and Cardigan streets. "It is like a dwarf standing next to a giant," she said.

At a planning committee meeting tonight (Wednesday), councillors will debate the latest plans. While planning officers have recommended that the council support the proposal with further reductions to buildings heights, Cr Ng told TMT on Monday she would not support the new plans in their current form.

"The officers are mindful of the developer's yield," she said.

"I am looking at good developments rather than the economic yield of the developer and I do not believe the current proposal adds to the quality of Carlton."

But Becton has garnered support from planning experts, local businesses and Melbourne University.

Local resident and former deputy vice-chancellor of Melbourne University, Barry Sheehan, said the more dedicated the student accommodation the better.

"(The) better for the university and the better for Carlton, economically, socially and culturally.

"It is much better to have good, purpose-designed accommodation like Becton's proposal for College Square on Swanston than to have students forced into sub-standard cottages and terraces further away."

Planning Minister Mary Delahunty approved the development in 2002, but was over-ruled by VCAT after a three-week hearing late last year.

VCAT described the building as a "monolithic building looming disrespectfully over its heritage neighbours". It rejected Becton's calls to allow a modification of the original plan and instead requested a complete redraft.

On February 12, new plans were submitted to Ms Delahunty who has the planning power for all developments larger than 25,000 square metres. The council will not have the final say, but has to provide comments to the government. The deadline for public submissions has closed.