Councillors voted last night to ask the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, to prepare an amendment to the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme to introduce an Interim Local Planning Policy recognising the already council-adopted Strathdale Commercial Precinct Plan.

A planning application for a 7000-square-metre complex at the former Victory College site was approved by VCAT last year.

The planning application was given with conditions and certain plans had to be submitted for approval.

Strathfieldsaye ward councillor Keith Reynard said the applicant now wanted to go back to the original plans and had taken the council to VCAT.

“We’re not refusing the ability to develop on Kennington Village on that site,” he said.

“We’re seeking a policy that will support in principle the structure plan.”

But Flora Hill ward councillor Alec Sandner said the Strathdale Commercial Precinct Plan was just a plan and it may never get there.

He said the proposed Kennington Village wouldn’t have any long-term impact on the Marketplace and the CBD.

“I see it as an unnecessary rush-and-block tactic for someone that is wanting to make a significant investment in this town,” he said.

The Strathdale Commercial Precinct plan is centred on the intersection of Condon Street and Edwards Road, Strathdale.

The plan includes detailed recommendations for eight smaller sub-precincts including, Village Core, Boulevard, Strath-Haven, Lakeside, Strath Hill, Lowndes, Central Victorian Innovation Park and Village Life.

The report criticised the planning permit for Kennington Village – a proposed shopping complex made up of shops, offices, car parking and a supermarket.

The VCAT hearing is scheduled for October.