Residents in Bayside heritage fight

It has stood proudly in a Brighton street since 1888 and residents are fighting to protect the property from “inappropriate” development.

Plans to redevelop the historic home have sparked anger from other Brighton residents. Picture Rebecca Michael

Brighton residents fearing for the future of a historic mansion have pleaded with Bayside Council to reject contentious plans to redevelop it.

A planning application has been lodged to partially demolish and add a second storey to National Trust classified, Victorian Heritage Registered “Florence Court”, built in 1888 for politician and businessman Thomas Wilson.

Among the most significant buildings and one of only three Grade A heritage classified properties in the area, it was built for seven-time Brighton mayor Wilson.

Owners of the home, who declined to comment, bought the property for $5.7 million in 2015 and want to remove the slate roof and an ornate Victorian chimney to add a second storey.

Brighton residents outside "Florence Court'' in William St, Brighton. Picture Rebecca Michael

But residents say the $1.8 million revamp would destroy the character of the property hailed for “outstanding aesthetic and historical significance’’ in a Bayside heritage review.

Neighbour Kerry Hammer said the owners knew they were buying a heritage protected building and should move elsewhere “if they want to demolish and rebuild’’.

“The current owners have a custodial responsibility to preserve and protect Florence Court, not to demolish and diminish its heritage value,’’ she said.

“Owners move on; this National Trust Classified residence remains — in what state, is yet to be determined”.

Resident Dan Butler said the plans were “of great concern”.

“Part of the original structure of the Victorian hip and gable slate roof and an original chimney are to be demolished to make way for a second story, bland structure,’’ he said.

He said the single level residence should not be altered “in an inappropriate way”.

“It is one of the most significant, grade A, historical properties remaining in Brighton and it should be respected as such,’’ he said.

“It’s a much loved building.’’

Richard Rozen OAM, Brighton Residents for Urban Protection chair, objected to the “inappropriate” plans.

“We can’t afford for heritage properties to be demolished or altered because we have lost too many of them already,’’ he said.

“It’s a total unnecessary type of structure to be considered that would affect residents in that area because of the extra height it will create.’’

The William St property is celebrated as: “highly ornamented’’ in its local heritage overlay.

The council, in a statement, could not confirm when a decision would be made on the application which attracted 68 public objections and two letters of support.

“The current planning permit application will be assessed against the relevant decision guidelines in the Bayside Planning Scheme including the decision guidelines in the Heritage Overlay,’’ it said.

The brick home currently boasts four bedrooms, a pool, spa, tennis court, cellar, basement, bar, dining and rumpus rooms, study, two living rooms, two bathrooms and a powder room.