Pennydale Structure Plan adopted

A new Structure Plan has been adopted by Council for the residential area of Cheltenham near the new Southland train station. This follows a decision to defer consideration of the Structure Plan for three months in order to undertake further community consultation.

Locally known as Pennydale, the area considered by the Structure Plan is located in Cheltenham and is bounded by Bay Road to the north, Park Road to the south and Jack Road and the Frankston Railway line to the west and east respectively. 

The Pennydale Structure Plan was prepared following three stages of community consultation alongside a Community Advisory Group of local residents and input from expert traffic, economic, landscape/vegetation and urban design specialists. 

Mayor Cr Laurence Evans thanked the residents of the area for their contributions in helping to develop the structure plan.

“I would like to extend my thanks to all the community members who contributed their ideas to the development of the Pennydale Structure Plan. Members of the Cheltenham, Pennydale and Highett community where highly engaged throughout this process.

“Structure Plans are a tool used to help ensure that any development occurs in a way that responds to the specific characteristics of the area and in-line with community expectations.

“Council has a responsibility to plan for the anticipated increase in housing for the area due it’s close to proximity to jobs, services and transport. 

“The Structure Plan responds to community concerns around Pennydale being classified as an activity centre and the planning controls will help to retain the neighbourhood character,” Cr Evans said.

“We’re pleased to come to a decision that is supported by the community. The Structure Plan provides recommendations to facilitate improvements  including enabling additional canopy tree planting and reducing water and energy use, improving walking routes and footpaths and providing additional cycling infrastructure,” Cr Evans said.

The new Structure Plan will offer tailored planning controls for different areas in Pennydale, to provide greater direction for making planning decisions that are informed by robust background research and community feedback.

Council will now undertake a Planning Scheme Amendment to implement the structure plan. Public exhibition is expected to take place in the second half of 2018.