Your expert planning people on the pulse of Victoria’s system.
Services
Town Planners in Melbourne delivering planning permits, strategic planning and planning representation including advocacy and expert evidence.
Statutory Planning
We guide development approvals through every stage of the permit process with clear documentation, coordination, and advice. Our development approvals team prepares, lodges, and manages applications across Victoria, anticipating issues early and focusing on great outcomes.
Strategic Planning
We develop, review and translate planning policy into practical outcomes. Our team is experienced in all facets of strategic planning including the preparation of planning scheme amendments and review of planning schemes for public and private sector clients.
Planning Advocacy and Evidence
We appear at VCAT and Planning Panels Victoria representing private and public sector clients with insight, discipline, and assurance. With hundreds of appearances under our belt, we are acknowledged industry experts in evidence and advocacy matters.
About Us
"Glossop began with a passion for planning and a commitment to doing it well. We specialise in distilling the complexities of Victoria’s planning system into clear, high‑quality advice that drives good outcomes for clients, for communities, and for the future of our shared urban environments."
projects
We’re proud of the projects we’ve helped make possible.
Talbot Street, Barwon Heads
Glossop Town Planning was engaged to represent the Council in an applicant’s appeal against Council’s refusal to amend a permit for a large single storey dwelling to add a relatively small amount of additional height (circa. 1.2m). The additional height triggered a further permit under an overlay.
The dwelling in question was on the banks of the Barwon River with consideration centred on whether the dwelling as a whole, or just the additional height, required consideration and ultimately whether the additional height would produce an acceptable planning outcome in the environs.
Supported by respondents, Hew successfully argued that due to the way the additional height was to be distributed the whole of the dwelling needed to be considered rather than simply the additional 1.2 metres. Further, VCAT agreed with Glossop’s submissions that the amended dwelling as proposed would overwhelm its environs and refused the amendment.
Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark
We lodged a s79 Application for Review against Council’s failure to decide an application to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). The application was for the construction of five dwellings (3 three storey and 2 two storey dwellings) on a site close to the Mooroolbark Activity Centre.
Following lodgement of the appeal, Council determined not to support the application. The grounds included purported Clause 55 non-compliance, achievement of relevant overlay purposes, neighbourhood character and garden area compliance.
Through a Preliminary Hearing process, Hew Gerrard was able to have the question of garden area compliance removed as a ground on the basis the application was exempt. Subsequently, through a Compulsory Conference process, Hew was able to address respondent concerns with minor changes to the built form.
After a contested main Hearing, VCAT quickly ordered the grant of a planning permit with no changes to the building footprint.
Victoria Street, Brunswick
We successfully obtained development approval for three townhouses in Merri-bek City Council within the Brunswick Activity Centre. The project highlighted the complex intersection between good urban design and appropriate flood management. Ultimately, we were pleased to negotiate an outcome that satisfied both Melbourne Water and Council. The design prepared by Splinter Society addresses three road frontages and presents a high-quality contemporary response within what is an evolving local context.
Nexus Apartments
Thomastown’s mixed-use Nexus Apartments bring new life to a key urban site, with sculptural architecture and active street edges. Glossop Town Planning guided the project’s development approval through Council, integrating density, amenity, and design excellence to deliver a landmark development for Melbourne’s northern corridor.
Voco Hotel
The Voco Hotel in Warrenheip represents a five-year planning journey marked by strong community opposition and a VCAT objector appeal. After a considered redesign and resubmission through the Development Facilitation Program via Clause 53.22 ‘Significant Economic Development’, we secured development approval for a 115-room farm-to-plate hotel, brewery, distillery, restaurant, and function centre celebrating regional production and architectural excellence.
The Bourke
Glossop Town Planning was engaged to prepare, lodge and manage a planning permit application for a major promotion sign at the intersection of Bourke and Swanston Streets in Melbourne’s CBD, ultimately achieving planning approval from Melbourne City Council.
Melbourne’s landmark six-storey 3D digital billboard in the heart of the CBD is now a defining example of Glossop’s specialty in outdoor advertising signage.
Future Homes
Comprising 17 apartments within a three-storey building, the achievement of a planning permit represents the culmination of a long journey through the Department of Transport and Planning, Banyule City Council, VCAT, and Planning Panels Victoria, before ultimately the Minister for Planning made their decision via the Future Homes pathway.
White Street, Mordialloc
We were engaged as planning consultants to prepare and lodge a planning permit application for 20 townhouses in Kingston City Council. The process required detailed consideration of neighbourhood character and design response. We facilitated the planning permit process with Council and coordinated consultant inputs, resolving planning issues efficiently and ultimately securing unanimous Councillor support at a Council meeting.