Appeal Against 51-Storey Box Hill Tower Lodged

Victoria’s Civil and Administrative Tribunal has received an appeal against a 51-storey tower in Box Hill six weeks after Whitehorse City Council approved what will be the tallest building in the state outside central Melbourne.

Privately-owned Manors Gate Group is appealing against the proposed use of a single-width right of way next to the planned residential, office and retail tower.

Whitehorse council’s director of city development Jeff Green confirmed Manors Gate Hotel Pty Ltd had lodged an application for review of a decision to grant a planning permit for the development at 17-21 Market Street, Box Hill.

“The applicant argues that the proposed use of a single-width right of way running north-south adjacent to 1-15 Market Street, Box Hill for service, loading and-or access to rear car parking is inappropriate and provides an unacceptable outcome,” Green said in a written reply to The Urban Developer’s questions.

A spokesperson for VCAT confirmed it had received an appeal against the development but had yet to set a date for a hearing.  Whitehorse council said it would make no further comment while the matter was before the tribunal.

In May this year, the council supported three planning permits for Vicinity Centres’ 10-year masterplan, which aims to transform 5.5ha at Box Hill Central into a mixed-use and retail precinct. The combined total investment is expected to be around $700 million.

▲ VCAT says they have yet to set a hearing date for the appeal against the residential tower.

But the project, which includes a partially covered public plaza and improved pedestrian and bike connections to public transport, has not been without its detractors.  The council says it “had carefully considered” 40 objections to the development, which covered issues such as building height, parking, increased traffic and bicycle access.

The tribunal said the appeal had been received in the names of both Manors Gate Group Pty Ltd and Manors Gate Hotel Pty Ltd.

The company’s website says it “has an extensive landbank of prime sites and developments portfolio that covers mainly the State of Victoria”.

 “Our expertise covers major mixed-use developments, including retail, serviced apartments, residential towers, hotels, office towers and master planned urban estates,” it says.

 “Our main focus currently is the States of Victoria (Melbourne) and Queensland (Brisbane and Gold Coast).”

Vicinity Centres, based in Chadstone, said they could not comment about the appeal.