What are the proposed building heights and built form controls?

New density and built form controls will transform Arden to a new and distinctive part of the city, while being sensitive to the existing built form and character of North Melbourne. The planning controls will require development to meet high quality design standards.

The building heights range from low to mid rise development (up to 15 storeys) to transition from the lower heights of North Melbourne, stepping up to high rise (16 storeys and taller) where appropriate. The tallest buildings (up to 40 storeys) are placed along the rail corridor and CityLink.

These controls are discretionary in Arden Central and some parts of the Laurens Street sub-precinct, meaning a developer would have to justify why exceeding the controls would not negatively impact the precinct.

The built form will redefine the skyline of this part of Melbourne. Arden’s taller skyline will stand out from the stretch of low to mid-rise development surrounding it.

Built form controls have been strengthened since the draft Structure Plan to ensure they manage impacts including overshadowing of key public spaces and mitigating wind effects caused by tall buildings.

Built form controls include street wall height limits and setbacks from both the street and neighbouring sites. They also encourage laneways and through block links for larger blocks to encourage walkability.

Map of the Arden Precinct showing built form planning controls.

For more detail on Arden’s built form strategy and the planning controls that relate to it, refer to Chapters 2 and 3 of the Arden Structure Plan and the Design and Development Overlays DDOs) for each sub-precinct.