A CALABRIA Road resident is "over the moon" after council rejected a request to build three units behind his lavish home.
Ivo Sartor has labelled the refusal a win for the average homeowner.
Three sets of neighbours opposed the development at 28 Franco Drive, citing loss of privacy, vision and sunlight as well as a reduction in the value of their homes.
It was the second time council had knocked back a development on the block.
"When we bought the block five years ago the layout showed there was no scope for multiple-building developments, only normal houses," Mr Sartor said.
"We wouldn't mind a 50-square home there with a big garage but we don't agree with units there at all.
"It's just another example of the developer going back on his word.
"When we bought the block, we were told the land around us would never be sold for low-price housing. Now we have those beside and behind us."
Local development company Zeplan Developments first applied to build three two-storey units on the Franco Drive block in 2010 but objections from neighbours saw the application refused.
Proprietor Zep Lanza said the neighbours had indicated they would support single-level units but not a multiple storey development.
The block had been marked for single dwelling on correspondence provided to the neighbours due to a mistake Mr Lanza made when registering the initial subdivision with council.
He has now abandoned all plans to put units on the block and has not decided whether he will pursue a single dwelling.
"It's disappointing for me but council has made its decision," Mr Lanza said.
"If I had known the residents wouldn't support units there, I wouldn't have wasted my time and money.
"I'm over it, to be honest."
Councillors made their decision after listening to Mr Lanza and objector Glenn Hayllar, whose home bordered the proposed development.
Cr Paul Rossetto said the judgment was about the broader issue of protecting the public.
"The regulations are there for a purpose to protect those people who only build one or two homes in their lifetime," Cr Rossetto said.
"They need the security to know the environment in which they choose to live will be maintained."
