Bayside residents fight “huge overdevelopment”

Residents in Hampton are bankrolling their own VCAT case against a development they say will ruin their neighbourhood’s character.

Residents are unhappy at a proposed 7 story development in Hampton East. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

Residents of a bayside suburb have self-funded a VCAT fight against a plan to tear down six houses in their street and replace them with a seven storey apartment block.

Hampton East residents say they have been dudded by Bayside Council, which approved an application for 144 units in the complex, including 10percent of the homes as social housing.

So they have bankrolled their own VCAT case against “huge overdevelopment’’, suggesting the problem is getting worse in residential areas as family homes are torn down and replaced with towers.

Hampton East resident of 31 years Julian Tagell said locals were “stressed” their homes were being overshadowed and hoped VCAT would this month listen to their concerns.

“Buildings like these need to be respectful of the existing neighbourhood and should be brought into line before it is too late,’’ he said.

At the height of Melbourne’s coronavirus lockdown, the council approved a development application for 3-5 Highbury Ave and 15-19 King St, Hampton East.

Council planners suggested the plans be scaled back to four storeys but councillors voted in favour of the developer’s blueprint for seven storeys — more than 24m high — and two basement parking levels.

Plans and renders of a 144 unit complex Hampton East residents are upset about.

Mr Tagell said residents were concerned their homes would be “turned into a Tiny Town’’ and “be in darkness 24 hours’’.

“A lot of the neighbours bought in that area because it was a neighbourhood and now they are just destroying the community,’’ he said.

He said neighbours were also concerned the developer — Shangri-La Construction — had also bought a number of other houses in the nearby area, including one on a 720m block where six town houses were planned.

“The thing is, it’s just happening everywhere and it’s got to stop,’’ he said.

“There has got to be a point where they stop, start listening to the community and say “back off – these things are just getting to big’.’’

Bayside Council received 63 public objections to the plans, which also include 268m2 communal open space area at ground level.

Mr Tagell said all level of government’s needed to listen to protect residential streets.

“What frustrates is there are no other avenues, you can’t go to the council and ask their advice because they won’t answer questions because they say that is not their job,’ he said.

“So there is nowhere you to go to help get any answers without it costing you a fortune.’’