Blue Earth Group to push on with three-tower Coburg development
Amenity-centric Melbourne developer Blue Earth Group is trying again to get its Coburg development approved.
Following an unsuccessful Tribunal hearing last year, Blue Earth Group, led by Michael and Omran Dib, has filed plans again to the Merri-Bek Council for a three-tower development at 81a Bell Street, on the fringe of Coburg City Oval (or Piranha Park).
The plan is for over 444 apartments and townhouses designed by CHT Architects on what the planning documents call a "significant land parcel" given its location on the south-western corner of Bell and Rodda Street which forms the entrance/gateway to the Coburg Major Activity Centre (‘MAC’).
The Planning Report by Planning & Property Partners suggested the Tribunal Decision came from concerns of the built form, however, they acknowledged the site's suitability and ability to respond to planning policy for increased housing density and diversity on the site.
"All of the former planning permits issued for the site have expired, with this application now seeking to respond to the criticisms identified in the recent Tribunal Decision and positively renew the site’s strategic significance to the Coburg MAC through the provision of an exemplar mixed-use development encompassing higher density residential living and added benefits for the benefit of the broader community," the report read.
The 1.2-hectare site was used for the former Coburg High School but is now vacant following a lengthy planning history.
The revised design response continues a similar design concept to that forming the basis of the Tribunal Decision, containing three buildings ranging in height from five to 11 storeys, with large areas of publicly accessible open space and pedestrian links provided within the site that are bordered by ground floor activity with the provided building separation and setbacks consistent with the Tribunal’s findings in maximising daylight receipt to the apartments and sunlight to provided open space areas.
Proposed are 223 one-bedroom apartments, the majority with a study, 195 two-bedders, 15 three-bed apartments, and 11 townhouses.
The towers will sit above two basement levels with 499 car parking spaces. 716 bicycle spaces will be provided across the site.
There will be around 239 sqm of shop floor space and a 106 sqm food and drink premises.
Blue Earth has become well known for creating developments that focus on a lifestyle as much as being a place to live since being founded by the Dib family in 1993.
