Seniors housing developer secures approval for new community
MELBOURNE: A seniors housing developer has now secured approval from planning authorities to create a new over 50s community.
A $64.65 million redevelopment of Beecroft House at 132-134 Beecroft Road has been approved as a State Significant Development, paving the way for a new 134-bed residential aged care facility.
The approved scheme will replace the existing 77-bed facility with a three-storey building providing 7,893sqm of gross floor area across the 7,911sqm site. The development will also include 55 basement car spaces, an ambulance bay and new communal facilities.
A key element of the project is the relocation and adaptive reuse of the existing cottage at 132 Beecroft Road, which contributes to the Beecroft-Cheltenham Heritage Conservation Area. The cottage will be moved approximately 20 metres towards Beecroft Road and incorporated into the new facility.
The application received six objections and one submission in support during exhibition, with concerns including bulk and scale, privacy, overshadowing and heritage impacts. The Department ultimately found the impacts could be appropriately managed and approved the project subject to conditions.
The development is expected to generate around 350 construction jobs and 150 operational jobs.