Does ACT Planning consider the character of surrounding houses?
A new development does not have to look exactly like the houses next door.
What matters is how well it fits into its surroundings. Things such as the size and scale of the building, its position on the block, how it presents to the street, and its relationship with neighbouring properties can all be relevant.
For example, a contemporary dual occupancy may still be appropriate in an area of older houses if its overall scale, siting and streetscape response are suitable.
Importantly, planning considers the desired character of an area, which may be different from what is currently built there.
Reference: Territory Plan 2023 – Part E, E01 Residential Zones Policy – Territory Plan 2023 | Notifiable instruments
Short Answer
Yes. The character of the surrounding area is relevant when a Development Application is assessed in the ACT.
However, this does not mean a new development must copy the architectural style of neighbouring houses. The focus is on whether the proposal responds appropriately to its site, surrounding development and the desired streetscape character.
Detailed Explanation
Under the current ACT planning framework, a DA is considered in the context of the site and its surrounds, including how the proposed development interacts with adjoining and adjacent development.
The current E01 Residential Zones Policy is particularly relevant. Its Assessment Outcomes include consideration of streetscape character and require adverse impacts on surrounding uses to be minimised and residential amenity protected.
A useful distinction is that “desired character” does not necessarily mean existing character. The Territory Plan defines desired character by reference to matters such as siting, building bulk and scale and the resulting streetscape, consistent with the relevant desired outcomes.
Accordingly, for a dual occupancy we would consider how the proposed bulk, scale, siting and street presentation respond to the surrounding residential context and the character sought by the applicable Territory Plan provisions, rather than simply asking whether the design looks similar to the existing houses.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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