Banyule Council reject developer TLC proposal for ‘community hub’ at 321 Lower Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe East

The fight between locals and a developer over a proposed community hub in an affluent Melbourne continues with the latest proposal again angering residents.

What it could look like ... artist impression of the proposed development at 321 Lower Heidelberg Rd.

A long-running battle to develop an old church site in an affluent Melbourne suburb shows no sign of easing with locals claiming the proposal could forever alter their neighbourhood’s character.

Developer TLC has pitched yet another version of its long-running bid to build a community hub, complete with a childcare centre, gym and cafe in Ivanhoe.

The 6293 sqm site is currently home to an unused church building and tennis courts.

The plot of land borders Lower Heidelberg Rd, Maltravers Rd and King St, and it sits just 250m northeast of Ivanhoe East’s commercial strip — home to one to two-storey retail shops, offices and cafes.

A former church building forms part of the site. Artist impression of the development proposal.

Lou Vaiano, a long-term local and the secretary of Save Ivanhoe East, a community group set up to raise concerns about the proposed development, said he was not surprised the most recent proposal continued to be opposed by many residents

“I know personally the reason we moved into the area was because of its green nature and the good community feel and we’ve grown to love this … (it’s) a key part of Ivanhoe East,” he said.

The site borders Lower Heidelberg Rd, Maltravers Rd and King St.

Mr Vaiano saidhe believed the development could create a “commercial creep” which would change the neighbourhood’s character.

“The moment you set a precedent there is nothing to stop a developer from coming along and doing something similar (in other parts of Ivanhoe East),” he said.

Approximately 70 community members attended a recent information session about the proposal and 140 objections have been sent to Banyule council.

Previous development proposals for the site lodged by TLC have been refused by the council, with some of the reasons including the building’s proposed height and scale as well as the site’s residential zoning.

What it could look like … artist impression of the community hub.

If the latest proposal is approved, all the buildings — excluding the church — would be demolished and a new two to three-storey main building would be constructed. A separate two-storey health and wellbeing hub would also be built.

Together, these building would be home to a 96-place childcare centre, a medical centre, a “health club” with a gym and swimming pool, a cafe and a community gallery.

Plans were lodged by developer TLC.

The childcare centre would run from 7am to 6pm, from Monday to Friday, and the gym would stay open until 9pm on weekdays.

Plans lodged by the developer state the development would help to “serve the growing population” and describe it as “represent(ing) a true community hub which has relevance to local residents at all life stages”.

The developer TLC were contacted for comment.

The proposal is due to be discussed at this month’s council meeting.