Stockland the Pines wants to redevelop a section of its carpark to build a retirement home

A DONCASTER East shopping centre is looking at redeveloping a section of its carpark to build a retirement home.

Stockland the Pines has floated a proposal to redevelop a section of its carpark to build a retirement home.

A DONCASTER East shopping centre is looking at redeveloping a section of its carpark to build a retirement home.

Stockland The Pines has submitted a proposal to Manningham Council to build a five-storey facility next door to the centre which would mean giving up a section of the carpark.

It is believed the building would have at least two levels of basement parking as well as independent access to Reynolds Rd.

The project is in the early stages with council waiting for more information from Stockland management before putting it up for public comment.

Doncaster East woman Coral Deboo said she shops regularly at Stockland and already battles with congestion.

“The carpark is pretty full already particularly when everyone comes in to do their grocery shopping, you certainly notice it then,” she said.

“It’ll just add to the congestion in the area — we’ve already got apartments up the road.”

Ms Deboo recently spoke to Leader about her fears a “concrete cancer” was being allowed to take over the suburb.

She said homeowners needed to band together to form a residents’ group and lobby council.

Teresa Dominik, council’s director of planning and development, said the main entrances to the shops wouldn’t change as the plans currently stand.

Meanwhile, Doncaster homeowners are fearful they’ll lose the charm of their little suburban street if a proposed four-storey development is given the go-ahead.

The Bayley Grove proposal, which is being considered by council officers, would see a 29-unit building go up with seven objections about overdevelopment and traffic congestion.

A report is expected to be presented to the council in October with neighbours able to make submissions until then.