MALDON Community Bank chairman Ronald Snep hopes to start building a new bank in the historic town by the end of the year.Mount Alexander Shire approved a planning permit for a new Bendigo Bank in High Street, Maldon, on Wednesday night.Mr Snep said the council made the right decision, but he expected some members of the community to take the decision to VCAT,“We think we consulted with the heritage adviser and got the right result,’’ he said.“I’d expect it to go to VCAT.“But I’d encourage them to think of the cost this will be to the community.“Legal representation for Mount Alexander Shire will come at a cost.“That’s money the community will miss out on. That’s the sad part of it.“We’re looking forward to a new branch for Maldon.’’Mount Alexander Shire Mayor Philip Schier said the applicant had tried to address the heritage issues.“To a degree, planning guideline requirements leave it open to interpretation.“Some put a case forward to imitate older buildings.“The guidelines recom-mend that mock heritage is not OK.“Obviously it needs to be done in a sensitive way.’’Cr Schier said given the number of objections to the planning application, it was likely that their decision would be taken to VCAT.“We’ve worked hard to consult with the heritage adviser and the sensitivities around the site,’’ he said.“We weren’t persuaded that any other alternative would really work.’’The planning approval will see a 5-metre by 16-metre bank in the main street.The business is a franchise of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.The planning application received 43 objections and a petition of 492 residents.The issues raised by the objectors concluded that the proposal wasn’t sympathetic to the Maldon historic streetscape, the application would set an unfavourable precedent for all future development and the development would devalue property and decrease tourist numbers.