The current position with 157-159 Domain Road is that although a permit to construct a three level building with a coffee shop on the ground floor and two restaurants above was approved by VACT subject to many conditions, no further steps have been notified to the City of Melbourne concerning compliance with any of those conditions.
The rumour is that the applicant is now considering different uses being a delicatessen on the ground floor and studio apartments on the first and second floors although nothing has been notified to Council and we have no other information.
However, it is not surprising, having regard to the issues and problems raised during the course of the contested application that the applicant has had to revise his plans.
You will remember that MSYRG spent a considerable amount of money opposing this application and indications are that it was money well spent as if such a change of use were to be the outcome the adverse impact upon the shopping centre and adjoining residents would be substantially if not wholly removed.
Matthew Guy, Victorian State Planning Minister, has stated that he has applied a cap on Licensed premises in South Yarra. We do not know the full details of the cap, which is a bit of a band-aid approach to planning ,but nevertheless a possible solution if properly applied.