Planning Consent for a New Dwelling and Significant Tree Removal in Only Three Business Days!

We love it when our clients achieve great results and speedy approvals, and one of our latest projects has been approved in a simply mind blowing time frame! The proposal for a new detached dwelling and removal of a significant willow myrtle at Glenelg North was lodged on Thursday, 3 August 2023 to the City of Holdfast Bay. Planning Consent was then received by CPD on Monday, 7 August 2023. How did our client manage to achieve a result with Council at this blistering pace?

1. Our client contacted CPD early in the process

Our client, Robyn, is a seasoned developer and as such knows how beneficial it can be to enlist an urban planner as early as possible in the process. By undertaking a preliminary review of her development project with CPD, we were able to guide her on exactly what was required for the proposal. With our guidance, Robyn was able to determine the quickest pathway to approval and obtain all the required documentation prior to lodgement. Most importantly, CPD had reviewed all documentation prior to lodgement which ensured that Council requests for information were not needed.

2. Our client discussed the project with Council prior to lodgement

Prior to lodgement of the formal application, Robyn reached out to the planning department to discuss any potential issues with the project. Through this discussion Robyn was able to understand any major issues with the project. In this case, the planner advised that the significant tree removal could be assessed with provision of an arborist report. By knowing this early on, Robyn was able to ensure that a high quality arborist report could be submitted from the start. This eliminated weeks of down time that would have been required if the application was lodged without a report.

3. Our client had CPD prepare a cover letter

This proposal met the minimum requirements of most of the planning and design code. However, there were shortfalls when measured against the minimum requirements of the Planning and Design Code. The primary setback of the proposed dwelling was 5.5 metres from the street where the requirements of the code would technically require 6.5 metres. Through careful analysis of the locality a planning argument covering why this could be accepted for this proposal was put to Council and ultimately accepted. In this case, the client was able to achieve a reduced setback and still achieve approval in record time with Council.

Robyn was able to achieve an approval in record time because of the careful preparation and planning work undertaken for her application. By putting in the work early on in the process, time spent with Council was minimal and the project breezed through the system. Our advice to all our clients is to be ultra prepared, and perhaps you too can achieve a result just like Robyn.

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