Mid-rise apartment developments could loom over heritage homes and overshadow solar panels, under confidential Victorian draft planning guidelines.

The Department of Transport and Planning is finalising new “deemed-to-comply” design standards for four- to six-storey residential developments that would exempt proposals from time-consuming appeals.

Camberwell resident Jane Oldham worries mid-rise apartment design will worsen under the new code and harm Boroondara, where heritage homes are prevalent. Credit: Alex Coppel

The draft rules were recently shared with councils for feedback, but Boroondara Council officers refused to sign confidentiality agreements and revealed details at a meeting on Monday night.

Jane Oldham, from the Boroondara Community Group, spoke at the meeting against

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