Feasibility Studies
Yield, planning and design testing before you commit to a site.
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Planning permits & VCAT
Planning permits and VCAT
Planning applications, council negotiation and VCAT representation, by architects who design for approval from day one.
In short
JAM Architects prepares planning permit applications for residential, multi-residential, mixed use and commercial projects across Melbourne and Geelong, negotiates with councils and represents clients at VCAT. Founding director Chris Manton has acted as an expert witness at VCAT.
Planning permits & VCAT
Design that is ready for approval
Most of the projects we design need a planning permit, and many of them are in places where approval is hard won: heritage streets, coastal settlements, activity centres and sites next to established homes. We design with the planning scheme in mind from the first sketch, so the application tells a clear story about why the project belongs.
Our planning work covers the whole path: early advice on what a site can support, pre-application meetings with council, the application drawings and reports, responses to objections and requests for information, and amendments after approval.
When a decision goes to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, we represent clients and give evidence. Our founding director Chris Manton has acted as an expert witness at VCAT.
What we design
From advice to approval
Planning advice
Early advice on zones, overlays and what a site can realistically support.
Planning applications
Application drawings, design response and coordination of the consultant reports council needs.
Council negotiation
Pre-application meetings, responses to requests for further information and objector concerns.
VCAT representation
Representation and expert evidence at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Development approvals
Staged approvals and amendments for large and mixed use sites.
Feasibility studies
Yield and planning testing before purchase. Feasibility studies
Featured projects
Selected work
Ballarat Road
The redevelopment of a large vacant site into a six-storey residential complex.
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The Mill
The Mill is an urban infill project that adapts the historic Returned Soldiers and Sailors textile mill buildings for new mixed uses.
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Bellarine Chocolate Co.
"The Bellarine Chocolate Co on Point Richards Road is currently in the planning stage." "Designed by JAM Architects, the mixed use architecture...
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Whitehall Street
A master plan reimagining a series of former car-parts manufacturing factories on a site of over 13,000 m² with significant street frontages, 150...
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Iramoo
Iramoo in Balwyn is a multi-residential development designed by JAM Architects.
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Barkers Road
A multi-residential development on Barkers Road, Hawthorn.
View projectRelated
Services that support it
Master Planning & Urban Design
Precinct and site master plans that connect to their place.
Learn more3D Visualisation
Renders, animation and VR for design, planning and sales.
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Asked and answered
Do you need an architect for a planning permit in Victoria?
Not always, but for apartments, mixed use buildings, heritage sites and most commercial work, an architect-led application usually has a better chance and needs fewer changes. The design is what council and objectors respond to.
Can you represent us at VCAT?
Yes. We represent clients at VCAT and give expert evidence on design. Our founding director Chris Manton has acted as an expert witness at VCAT.
Do you prepare planning applications in Geelong?
Yes, from our Newtown studio, including applications to the City of Greater Geelong such as The Mill redevelopment.
Can you take over a project that has already been refused?
Yes. We review the refusal and grounds, advise whether to amend and reapply or go to VCAT, and redesign where needed.
Next step
Tell us about your project.
A site you are buying, a planning permit, a new home or a full precinct: start with a conversation with one of our directors.
Contact
Start with a conversation
Tell us about the site and what you have in mind. A director from our Melbourne or Geelong studio will come back to you to talk it through.
Phone
Melbourne studio
Geelong studio