Westfield Drive could be closed at Williamsons Rd as part of Westfield’s upgrade plans

WESTFIELD wants to close a busy road near its Doncaster centre as part of plans to create a new main vehicle entrance, but nearby homeowners have raised concerns about the proposal.

WESTFIELD Doncaster wants to close Westfield Drive at Williamsons Rd as part of plans to create a new main vehicle entrance.

The proposal, part of Westfield’s $500 million planned upgrade to the shopping centre, would see a northern access road link the complex and Westfield Drive with local motorists also able to access Williamsons Rd via a signalised intersection.

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But the proposal has raised fears among homeowners who are worried they’ll have to pay a fee to use the access road and the closed end of Westfield Drive will attract anti-social behaviour.

They’ve voiced their concerns in the submissions to Westfield’s plans and will now be given the chance to speak at an independent planning hearing.

It’s expected Manningham Council will approve the next stage of the process tomorrow night which will see the State Government convene an independent body to hear concerns about the project.

The council has received 85 submissions on the plan, with 76 coming from neighbouring homeowners.

The proposal is the latest in a raft of changes Westfield wants to make as part of the upgrade, including building a multistorey tower with a two-level podium in Williamsons Rd.

The upgrade will see 43,000sq m of additional retail-based floor space which is set to include discount departments, specialty stores and expanded cinema complex.

An artist's impression of what Westfield Doncaster will look like after the development. Source: yoursaymanningham.com.au

There will also be more levels of carparking above the multi-deck carpark with a new basement carparking to be constructed beneath the mall extension in the northwest corner of the site.

Westfield hopes to lodge planning permits with Manningham Council before the end of the year.