Number of houses cut in latest DA for March Street site in Orange

In 2018 Orange City Council rejected a development application to build a 24-room 'modern boarding house' complex spread over three double-storey buildings on land behind a house in March Street. I

Earlier this year, after the site was sold, a different developer proposed building seven double-storey houses on the block.

Now the developer has changed the DA to five houses on the 2316 square metre site at 194A March Street.

In the DA the applicant said they could not afford to reduce it any further.

"The reduction of two units already compromises the financial viability of the development," it said.

The cut in the number of houses follows concerns raised by Orange City Council staff over the plans.

The DA said the matters raised included "visual bulk, density and heritage."

The developer has also sought to address concerns about the amount of sunlight available to the properties.

"The reduction of two units from the original proposal significantly improved the solar access for each dwelling," it said.

"Any further loss in unit yield to enhance northern window solar access would result in loss of economic feasibility," the DA said.

However, it said while it could not fully comply with the conditions there were other options including altering window sizes and using skylights.

The amended DA also includes additional large trees on the property.

The new DA is on public exhibition until Friday October 23.