'Sohos, apartments and lofts' proposed for leafy Macedon Ranges hamlet

A proposed housing development in Macedon Ranges, Victoria, has sparked controversy due to its potential to transform the rural hamlet of Clarkefield from a small community of about 300 residents into a densely populated area of around 6,000. The $700 million project, proposed by APD Projects, includes up to 2,500 homes on lots as small as 84 square metres, a size typically found in inner-city Melbourne.

Developers claim the apartments, lofts, sohos, townhouses, and terraces will create a medium to high-density village while preserving the town's history and introducing a community farm and renewable energy system. However, residents are critical of the plans, stating that they have been misled and the proposed development does not reflect the original vision.

Concerns have been raised about the impact on local roads, traffic congestion, insufficient train service, and the small size of the proposed residential blocks. Critics argue that the development goes against planning guidelines and protections established for the Macedon Ranges in 2020 and questions the decision-making process, suggesting that the minister for planning may be influenced by the developer.

Community leaders and residents are calling for a return of transparent and public planning, adherence to the Statement of Planning Policy, and an independent assessment of the Clarkefield development.