Naked stunt exposes privacy issues around Glen Eira building regulations

UPDATE: This nude neighbour has been hailed a legend after baring all in his cheeky protest for privacy — and the Bentleigh man may have to do it all over again.

James Penlidis has been protesting an inappropriate development next door by painting his Bentleigh house in the nude. Picture: Chris Eastman

THIS nude neighbour has been hailed a legend after baring all in his cheeky protest against a new house overlooking his backyard in Melbourne’s south.

Cheeky photographer James Penlidis went viral online after winning a crusade to get some privacy by barbecuing, cleaning the gutters and painting his Bentleigh house — wearing nothing but a smile.

He even rode an old exercise bike in the buff to get his new neighbours’ attention.

Mr Penlidis decided to bare all after the new house built next door did not include frosting on five windows which overlooked his bedroom and living room.

Mr Penlidis riding his exercise bike naked, in full view from the neighbour’s windows.

He’s won nothing but support from fans of his unorthodox protest, who praised its ingenuity.

Some even plan to take up his methods, with Manny Stratis saying: “Good on him wait till my neighbors move in to there (sic) new double story house over looking my back yard!!”

“One approach to dealing with planning decisions you don’t like!” wrote Gem Ma on Facebook.

Others posted admiring comments, with Kay Webster commenting: “Could be worse ‘views’ to look at…”

Mr Penlidis said the wave of public support didn’t surprise him, because many could relate to his predicament.

“Everyone has an angry development story,” he said. “We’re not protected by powerless councils. The (building) laws are not fair or really understood.”

“The plans (made public) are too complicated and we don’t get enough time to review them.”

“I was walking around at boiling point...I was lied to by so many people; builders, surveyors. Developers are in the business of opportunity. So I thought if you want something to look at, I’ll give you something.”

It took just six days of his “bare-all” campaign for frosting to appear on the windows.

“No-one wants to see a hairy Greek guy with it all hanging out,” he originally told Leader. “I’m having fun with it rather than blow up.”

“They (the neighbours) were looking out the window, saw me starkers and backed off like a bungee jump,” Mr Penlidis said.

He said stripping off was a way to show how exposed and unprotected residents were when dealing with the building process.

Mr Penlidis acknowledged while it was legal for the windows, which were more than 3m away, to be clear, they were an invasion of privacy.

He claimed a Glen Eira council worker had verbally promised there would be frosted windows when he inspected the plans prior to approval.

Mr Penlidis accused the council of not looking after residents’ interests. “I’ve learnt to get things in writing,” he said. “The process is not designed to look out for the average person.”

James Penlidis said he wanted to “have fun” in his campaign for the neighbours to have frosted windows.

Glen Eira Council planning and place director Ron Torres said the house didn’t require a planning permit, because it was single dwelling in a residential zone.

He said a private building surveyor had decided what level of privacy protection was required, not the council.

“Developers do not receive preferential treatment over residents,” Mr Torres said.

Still defiant, Mr Penlidis said today he would strip down again if he had to. “Of course I would,” he said.

And with another six single-level weatherboard houses within 30m of his house now slated for demolition and rebuilding, he might just have to.

Leader was unable to contact the neighbours for comment.