The Planning Place recently achieved an approval from Brisbane City Council for a new dwelling house upon a small lot within the Traditional Building Character Overlay at 6 Mara Place Ashgrove.

Council currently has a reduced fee arrangement in place for domestic scale applications of 50%, hence this application was not processed through RiskSmart (only a 20% fee reduction).

Whilst the design is fairly traditional in form and detailing, Council required further justification for the partially glazed balustrade.  The Planning Place argued the minor scale of the glazing, its use in providing a degree of passive surveillance of the street, and the presence of reasonably similar balustrade on existing pre-war houses within the street.

The justification was supported by Council, resulting in the approval being issued.