Plans for 700 apartments at Forest Hill TV studio where Neighbours is filmed is knocked back, but developer is heading to VCAT

WHITEHORSE councillors have voted against a development plan for Forest Hill’s television studios where Neighbours is filmed.

Plans for 700 apartments at the Forest Hill TV studios where Neighbours is filmed are off to VCAT.

WHITEHORSE councillors have voted against a development plan for Forest Hill’s television studios where Neighbours is filmed.

However, the developer has already applied to take the 700-dwelling plan to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The Forest Ridge Development Plan for 104-168 Hawthorn Rd, Forest Hill was shot down at last night’s meeting, with Cr Bill Bennett saying it was “flawed on many levels”.

The development plan for the 9ha site, submitted by 10 Consulting Group, featured up to 700 new apartment dwellings ranging from two to six storeys, while the three main buildings of the heritage protected television studio site would have remained.

The council received 101 submissions in response, 72 of which opposed the development while the other 29 raised concerns with the plan (two submissions offered general support).

Cr Bennett said the plan didn’t provide enough public open space, and should devote “at least” 4 per cent of the site to open space.

“The main issue is the maximum building height which is 6 storeys, while our own strategy says 4 storeys,” Cr Bennett said.

“It doesn’t keep with the neighbourhood character at all ... and the community deserves better.”

A tribunal hearing has been set for later this week.

The former ATV-0 Television Studios opened in 1964, and in 1967 was the first station in Australia to broadcast in colour.

The studio is now leased by FremantleMedia which films and produces the long-running television soap Neighbours from the Forest Hill site and nearby Pin Oak Ct.