It’ll be squeezy street
Fears townhouses will ruin ‘tranquil’ neighbourhood
RESIDENTS are fighting a proposal to build five two-storey townhouses on a 750sq m block in Hamlyn Heights.
City Hall will review a bid by Melbourne-based development firm Bayland Property Group to construct the five dwellings on Griffen St.
Nearby residents are fiercely opposing the development application, claiming it would disturb an otherwise “tranquil” place to live.
Several have written to City of Greater Geelong to voice their concerns.
Peter Bradbury, who lives near the proposed site, said the development was nonsensical.
“We’re not anti-development at all but it’s just ridiculous that council would allow five developments in such a minuscule space — it doesn’t make sense,” he said.
“This isn’t the place for high-density lots to be crammed into a small space.”
Public submissions against the Griffen St development officially close today, leaving the decision in the hands of council planners.
The site — currently one lot — will feature a single drive- way, seven residential parking spaces and one visitor parking space.
Edna Hargraves, who lives further down the street, fears it will further exacerbate a parking shortage in the area.
“If there’s two or three people living in each house, I have no idea where all of the cars are going to go,” she said.
“They won’t be able to park in the driveway because they’ll block each other in, so it’ll have to be out on the street.”
According to preliminary plans, Bayland Property Group intends to build three two-bedroom properties and two three-bedroom properties on the site.
The Geelong Advertiser contacted Bayland Property Group but did not receive a response before deadline.
In a Clause 55 assessment undertaken by the Bayland Property Group, it downplayed concerns about the development’s impact on the neighbourhood.
It said the proposed development would be of contem- porary design with variation in materials, finishes and colours to provide visual interest.
“The dwellings have been sited and designed so as to minimise the impact on the existing and adjoining buildings through appropriate side and rear setbacks, screening, landscaping and a visually interesting design response,” it says.