Residents are objecting to a proposal to demolish a heritage-listed house in Sunshine to make way for two townhouses.
Brimbank council received a planning permit application to level the house at 57 Benjamin Street, a single-storey 1914 house in Sunshine’s Railway Station estate, and build a double-storey development of two units.
According to the council’s cultural heritage study, Benjamin and Morris streets in Sunshine are of regional historical and architectural significance as a subdivision first developed in the speculative boom of the 1880s.
The study singles out this house as “contributory” to the significance of the Railway Station estate.
Brimbank director city development Stuart Menzies said the planning permit was still to be advertised, but to date, 24 objections had been received.
He said that because the property was in a heritage overlay area, a planning permit was required to demolish the building.
“As part of the assessment, council’s heritage policy will be considered,” he said. “The policy states, among other things, that poor physical condition of a heritage place is not, in itself, a reason for permitting demolition.
“A report from a suitably qualified structural engineer with experience in the conservation of heritage buildings is required. And demolition will only be considered where the building is structurally unsound or beyond reasonable repair.”
The house has been leased to tenants since the owner bought it about three years ago.
According to a structural inspection report commissioned by the owner, the house is considered to be “in a poor to average structural condition”.
The report’s author estimated it would cost about $270,000 to remediate the property and about $121,000 to demolish the house and build again as outlined in the permit application.
“Remediation is considered possible, but to be completed successfully will require a reasonably extensive scope of works,” the report states.
