Opposition grows to eight-storey Hampton development

PEOPLE living near a proposed eight-storey development in the heart of Hampton say the $30m project will affect traffic and make life a misery for them.

David Riley is opposed to an eight-storey building planned for the corner of Hampton and Holyrood streets. Picture: Chris Eastman

PEOPLE living near a proposed eight-storey development in the heart of Hampton say the $30m project will make life a misery for them.

The application for the building, which includes 108 apartments, four shops and a cafe, has so far received more than 220 objections.

Those opposed include David Riley, who owns a flat next door to the planned site, at 427 to 461 Hampton St and 82 Holyrood St.

He said it would be a “negative contribution to the streetscape” and “significantly detrimental” to neighbouring houses.

“Everyone agrees that it’s good to have redevelopment and keep places fresh … but it is completely against the character of the area to have something that is eight storeys high.

“It will affect the quality of life of residents because all they will see is concrete … and it has the potential to impact the value of other properties in Holyrood St,” Mr Riley said.

The 62-year-old said it was better suited to the city.

He said traffic and parking were also major concerns, with the proposal seeking a reduction in the associated bicycle, car parking and loading bay requirements.

Mr Riley said if it came to it, he would consider taking the matter to VCAT.

Fellow neighbour Ellen Cresswell said the proposed development was “completely inappropriate” and would irrevocably change Hampton St from a “community shopping strip” to an “urban corridor”.

“The increased traffic volumes and higher demand for street parking will make it more difficult to enter and exit Holyrood St by car and foot, especially immediately before and after school hours.

“It will make it even more difficult to drive along Hampton St, resulting in ‘rat racing’ along the adjacent streets … creating a further risk to public safety,” Ms Cresswell said.

The 41-year-old said she was worried it would set a precedent for future planning requests.

Resident Srecko Becirovic shared her sentiments and said he had already been forced to rent another car space because of the limited parking in Bayside.

Opposition is building to a planned eight-storey development in Hampton. Picture: Chris Eastman

“Traffic is getting worse and worse and the street is busy enough that you can hardly find any spots,” Mr Becirovic said.

John Painter, assistant principal of Hampton Primary School, which is opposite the proposed location, said he had great concerns about the project.

“It doesn’t matter what happens with this development and how much parking they put in place, traffic, pedestrians, safety of schoolchildren and parents is going to be a major problem.”

Nicholas Smedley, the managing director of Steller, the developer and builder, said the company always looked to work with the planning authority and local residents.

“It comes down to how much of a bigger site you’ve been able to consolidate and I don’t think there are many developers in the past that have been able to secure an acre of land for Commercial 1 Zone in the area,” he said.

Mr Smedley said there would be “more than adequate parking”, with the development exceeding the required number of spots by 39.

He said the building was designed specific to the location so it “blends in”.

Bayside Council director city planning and community services Shiran Wickramasinghe said the site is zoned for commercial and residential use and had a preferred maximum height of four storeys.

“The application has not been assessed, as it is currently on public notification,” he said.

“Objections continue to be received. The nature of the objections is not available at this time as this will form part of the planning officer’s assessment.”

Mr Wickramasinghe said the earliest the matter would go to council would be November.