By Sumeyya Ilanbey
When Samantha moved into her dream home in Taylors Hill 13 years ago, she knew an empty paddock behind her would inevitably be developed.
But what ensued has bitterly disappointed the Howqua Way resident, who asked that her real name not be used.
One of the houses being built in newly created Tambo Crescent, backing on to Samantha’s Howqua Way home, is a double-storey house that overshadows her and her neighbour’s property.
Although the house is being built to comply with the requirements of the Building Act, Samantha says “it’s just not right”.
The side of the house backs on to the properties of three Howqua Way homes. Complying with legislation, it is more than
1.25 metres from the fence and its windows are frosted.
But Samantha says that is too close to her backyard and she fears she no longer has any privacy.
“We’ve been dictated to that we are having a double-storey that close to our house,” Samantha said. “There’s no privacy whatsoever, whether or not the building is within the rules.”
Construction on the Tambo Crescent houses started about six months ago, with pre-building works starting at the end of the year, according to Samantha.
She says in the first half of this year, she contacted Melton council multiple times to get more information about the development, but to no avail.
“I did ring council back then [in December, 2017] and they said it’s been sold and developed,” Samantha said. “No letters to us … and finally there are notices on the fences, but they’re just telling you who’s building and who the site manager is.”
Samantha recently met Melton council officers and councillors to discuss her concerns with what she says has been a lack of consultation.
But council acting planning services manager Steve Finlay told Star Weekly an application to subdivide the land into 28 lots was submitted to council in January, 2014, and approved later that year.
“At the time that the subdivision application was submitted, surrounding residents were notified of the proposal to amend an approved development plan to facilitate the subdivision of the land,” Mr Finlay said.
“Residents were provided with a copy of the proposed subdivision. There were no objections to the proposed subdivision arising from the public notification of the proposal.”
