A CONTROVERSIAL development application for nine housing units in Ainslie to accommodate vulnerable women has been signed off by Planning Minister Mick Gentleman under call-in powers.

The original proposal to build ten units for women who may have experienced domestic and family violence was first lodged by the YWCA in November 2020 but soon after rejected by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) following an appeal by a group of Ainslie residents.

The residents cited a loss of trees and traffic problems as key concerns of the project, as well as the impact on Bill Pye Park which is located next to the site of the proposed development.

ACAT agreed with the appeal, ruling that a number of planning rules were not adhered to in the proposal, despite it earlier being approved by the independent planning and land authority.

Minister Gentleman has now used his call-in powers to approve a revised design submitted by the YWCA in February for nine units. The approval cannot be reviewed by a third party in ACAT.

“After careful consideration of the concerns raised by members of the community, I have used my call-in powers to approve this project and enable construction of these supported housing units to begin as soon as possible,” Mr Gentleman said.

“We have imposed a number of conditions on the development, including measures to safeguard protected trees on the site and the adjacent park, which were among the neighbours’ concerns.”