THE state government has approved mandatory height limits for new buildings in Sorrento.
This comes after Mornington Peninsula Shire last July moved to protect the “distinctive character” of the commercial centre – mainly along Ocean Beach Rd.
A design and development overlay sets height limits of 11 metres in areas that allow three storeys and eight metres in areas allowing two storeys.
Setback controls stipulate that a third storey must be set back so as not to be “visually prominent” from the opposite side of the street.
The mayor Cr Bryan Payne thanked acting planning minister Lily D’Ambrosio for “seeing the importance of the Mornington Peninsula’s unique character”.
“This is a great result for Sorrento and the broader peninsula community,” he said.
“We are determined to protect our townships from inappropriate development and this DDO [design and development overlay] will protect the history of this iconic township that has a local, state and national significance.
“This approval comes with an expiry date of 31 July 2019 and council will continue to work with and seek support from the minister for permanent DDO controls to avoid overdevelopment in the township.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 6 February 2018
