Some recent planned and not so planned developments have upset local residents.
More than 30 locals turned out on a cold night last week to consider the latest assault on the grace of the suburb by developers and the merely opportunistic.
Residents in the eastern streets of Notting Hill are concerned that the Monash Council may be about to authorise the activities of businesses that are encroaching into the buffer zone between houses and the industrial area. This is the strip known locally as the “horse paddock”.
It is actually a road reserve owned by VicRoads and set aside for an outlet to the Monash Motorway running down to Westall Road. The reserve has been there for years and the motorway extension may never be built, given the financial woes of VicRoads. Meanwhile businesses on the far side have been using the land as a dump. They have been doing this for years but recently became more brazen.
They appear to be aided in this by Vicroads, which is offering leases through a real estate agent apparently without any requirement that the leaseholder obtain planning approval.
Residents recently alerted the Council to the moves on the reserve, involving the construction of a large workwork, and the erection of hard stands and security fences to store construction equipment and containers. Apparently this was news to Council who asked the infiltrators to cease.
Now they have applied for retrospective permits that will legitimise their land grab.
No one has heard from VicRoads. How is it that a State Government agency can lease land without letting the public know? There are many possible uses the road reserve land could be put to, such as forms of recreational use by the residents, but they are not offered leases.
The other development is still in the proposal stage and seeking planning approval.
It is an extension of the Gateway Motel on Blackburn Road onto several housing blocks along Blackburn to Finch Street, already acquired by the Motel. The current plan is for a three-story residential hotel development on the side of the existing motel with conference rooms, more than 20 units and car parking.
The neighbours are not happy, fearing further congestion in the residential streets, noise and disturbance. In addition the planned building overlooks their homes and gardens, and destroys the current street landscape. Other residents of Notting Hill will find it looming on the western horizon.
The Notting Hill Community Association will put in to council objections to all three of these proposals.
More than 30 locals turned out on a cold night last week to consider the latest assault on the grace of the suburb by developers and the merely opportunistic.
Residents in the eastern streets of Notting Hill are concerned that the Monash Council may be about to authorise the activities of businesses that are encroaching into the buffer zone between houses and the industrial area. This is the strip known locally as the “horse paddock”.
It is actually a road reserve owned by VicRoads and set aside for an outlet to the Monash Motorway running down to Westall Road. The reserve has been there for years and the motorway extension may never be built, given the financial woes of VicRoads. Meanwhile businesses on the far side have been using the land as a dump. They have been doing this for years but recently became more brazen.
They appear to be aided in this by Vicroads, which is offering leases through a real estate agent apparently without any requirement that the leaseholder obtain planning approval.
Residents recently alerted the Council to the moves on the reserve, involving the construction of a large workwork, and the erection of hard stands and security fences to store construction equipment and containers. Apparently this was news to Council who asked the infiltrators to cease.
Now they have applied for retrospective permits that will legitimise their land grab.
No one has heard from VicRoads. How is it that a State Government agency can lease land without letting the public know? There are many possible uses the road reserve land could be put to, such as forms of recreational use by the residents, but they are not offered leases.
The other development is still in the proposal stage and seeking planning approval.
It is an extension of the Gateway Motel on Blackburn Road onto several housing blocks along Blackburn to Finch Street, already acquired by the Motel. The current plan is for a three-story residential hotel development on the side of the existing motel with conference rooms, more than 20 units and car parking.
The neighbours are not happy, fearing further congestion in the residential streets, noise and disturbance. In addition the planned building overlooks their homes and gardens, and destroys the current street landscape. Other residents of Notting Hill will find it looming on the western horizon.
The Notting Hill Community Association will put in to council objections to all three of these proposals.
No comments:
Post a Comment