Hurlstone Park residents oppose highrise plans

Residents fear a five-storey shop-top apartment proposed for Hurlstone Park town centre would set a precedent for more highrise developments that would ruin the village feel of the suburb.

Residents fear a five-storey shop-top apartment proposed for Hurlstone Park town centre would set a precedent for more highrise developments that would ruin the village feel of the suburb.

A development application lodged with Canterbury Council in November would result in the demolition of two Art Deco houses on Duntroon St, if approved.

A five-storey building would take its place, with two commercial tenancies on the ground floor, 26 units, and a two-level basement carpark.

The development application was lodged by relatives of Canterbury Liberal councillor Con Vasiliades, who declared an interest in the matter.

“There’s a family interest, so I’m unable to comment on this,” Cr Vasiliades said.

If the $5.8 million development is approved, residents say there would be no stopping further highrise buildings popping up in the area, which is now being investigated by the council for listing as a heritage conservation area.

Canterbury Council has received over 90 submissions on the development application. Picture: Tim Clapin

A petition against the development, with more than 70 signatures, was sent to the council.

Canterbury Council’s general manager Jim Montague said the council had received over 90 submissions from residents concerning overdevelopment and potential traffic problems.

Carmel Elliott, of Duntroon St, said the development would not be in keeping with the village-like character of Hurlstone Park.

“It’s supposed to be complementary to the existing buildings. It’s not complementary at all to anything in the neighbourhood,” Ms Elliott, 53, said.

Increased traffic and a lack of on-street parking also needed to be considered, according to resident Bronwyn Sweeney.

“I think the traffic and parking issues, and the garage parking access on a blind corner that is quite narrow, is a real concern,” Ms Sweeney said.

“It is a small suburb and it does have a village atmosphere and there are people that are wanting to preserve that if they can,” she said.

Ms Sweeney called for future development to be “done in a way that’s as sympathetic as possible and pays attention to the infrastructure.”

Another resident said the development could open the floodgates for more high-rise apartments. “I think it’s the precedent that it sets,” Martin Paddon, 53, said.