Almost 50 people have objected to two medium density housing developments slated for the same residential street in St Albans.
They claim the plans are out of character with their neighbourhood, and cite “a feeling there are too many units”.
Two developers have submitted permit applications to Brimbank council to bulldoze single-storey houses at 47 and 52 Helen Street, which are almost directly opposite each other.
Their plans propose six double-storey townhouses and five double-storey townhouses, respectively. Both properties are in a residential growth zone, which encourages developments up to four storeys.
The backlash against the permit applications prompted the council to invite objectors to a planning forum last Monday.
Helen Street resident Jenny Isa said about 30 people attended the meeting. She said things quickly turned sour when one of the developers told them they should move out of the area if they opposed development.
“They said we should move out if we don’t like growth zones,” she said. “They were very dismissive of residents. It was a very angry room. Residents said ‘how can you tell us to move – we’ve been here for more than 40 years’.”
Ms Isa’s father lives next door to the site of one of the proposed developments. She said he was fearful his house would be overshadowed, and car parking problems would be exacerbated.
In his draft report to the December 20 meeting, Brimbank’ council’s city development director Stuart Menzies said 47 Helen Street had “excellent” access to shops and services, being located near Keilor Downs activity centre and Keilor Plains train station.
“The residential growth zone seeks to achieve higher density residential development on sites such as this one,” Mr Menzies said. “The design response achieves an appropriate balance between replicating elements from the existing built form … [and] new elements.”
In reporting specifically on the planning application for 52 Helen Street, Mr Menzies acknowledged this proposal was more substantial than any other medium density development in the area.
“Despite this, the proposal is considered to be appropriate for the site,” he said.
