The ACT Greens said it was "extremely disappointed" by the new push, amid fears it could leave the area "feeling dark, cold and unsafe".

In September, the developer won ACT government approval to build an 800-unit complex on the former Woden Tradies Club site, including a 24-storey tower and buildings of 16, 13 and 12 storeys in height.

Its original proposal included buildings of 24, 16, 16 and 10 storeys in height, but those plans were revised after residents raised concerns about the development's height, scale and potential for overshadowing of nearby properties. A total of 109 submissions were made to the initial plan for the prominent Phillip site.

The most significant amendment, according to Geocon, was to reduce the height of the building fronting Melrose Drive from 16 to 12 storeys, changes ACT chief planner Ben Ponton described as an "excellent outcome for the community and the developer".

But the developer has now sought permission from the government's environment, planning and sustainable development directorate to raise the height of the Melrose Drive building back to 16 storeys.

Planning rules for the area allow one 24-storey "marker" tower per multi-building complex, with the other buildings restricted to 12 storeys.

However, one of those buildings can be increased by an additional four levels.

The approved WOVA plan already includes one 16-storey tower, meaning Geocon is attempting to use the extra-four-level height clause a second time.

Details of the developers proposal have not been made public, and the directorate has only notified, and sought feedback from, those who made submissions to the original proposal.

Feedback was originally due on January 4, however that deadline has now been extended to February 1.

Woden Valley Community Council chair Fiona Carrick said residents welcomed development in the area, but were concerned about the "continual upward creep" of the WOVA project.

Ms Carrick said raising the height of the building fronting Melrose Drive from 12 to 16 storeys would block out morning sunlight to the adjacent Bellerive Retirement Village.

She was also perplexed as to why Geocon's application had not been released for wider public consultation.

The community council's preference is for eight storey buildings fronting Melrose Drive, rising up to 12 storeys at the heart of Woden Town Centre.

Caroline Le Couteur, the ACT Greens' planning spokeswoman and chair of the ACT Assembly's planning committee, said she had been concerned about the WOVA development for some time.

Ms Le Couteur said Geocon's bid came despite the recommendations of the committee, and broader community concern about new building height limits in the precinct.

"Late last year I was pleased to table a petition of more than 500 signatures calling on the Government to reduce these building heights," Ms Le Couteur said.

“This reflects concerns from the community, and especially residents of the nearby Bellerive apartments, that this area would be significantly overshadowed, leaving the area feeling dark, isolated and unsafe."

A spokeswoman for the directorate said the territory's planning and land authority said as part of its assessment of the developer's "reconsideration application", it would consider if the extra storeys were suitable in the context of the wider development.

If the proposed changes are rejected, Geocon would be allowed to proceed with its approved plan, the spokeswoman said.

When contacted by The Canberra Times,  a Geocon spokesman said the matter related to "a condition of the original approval". The spokesman said it would not comment further while the application was under assessment.

Geocon bought the Woden Tradies Club for $16 million in 2017.

It's plan for the 10,194 square metre site includes 1160 car parking spaces and 2650 square metres of commercial space.

Geocon managing director Nick Georgalis said last year the WOVA development would energise the Woden Town Centre, create new jobs and lifestyle opportunities.

Construction work was expected to start this year.