A VICTORIA Street resident says she is “outraged” by a new high-rise development proposed to be built in Bakery Hill.
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Yvonne Horsfield said she believed the development was not appropriate and far too big for the heritage of the area.
“My concern is that I have a heritage house, that I have maintained in character, and they are erecting a development with terrible architecture that has no relationship with the heritage in the area,” she said.
“We call ourselves a heritage-conscious city and we have a Heritage Weekend, and yet here we are on the entrance of Ballarat, where people will drive through looking at the low line of heritage houses and behind them will be these huge ugly high-rises.
“I will have no privacy in my backyard and there will be a lot of traffic.”
If approved by the City of Ballarat, the development will involve construction of a multimillion-dollar four-storey complex on St Paul’s Way.
The complex would include 74 apartments across four apartment blocks, 19 two-storey townhouses and four office retail units – two with residential apartments above.
Despite the complaints, Horizon Synergy Pty Ltd director David O’Brien said parts of the complex had been designed to take into account the aesthetic of the area.
“Our site and sites to the south don’t have a heritage overlay,” he said.
“But we will respect the heritage of the area, to make sure the design helps to fit with the area.”
Mr O’Brien said studies had been done in the area to ensure the increase in traffic would not be too great.
Ms Horsfield said she was concerned by the height of the complex which she believed would be visible from Victoria Street.
“It will totally destroy the gateway to our city,” she said.
“I am very concerned; if you don’t put in the objections early the developers get their own way.
“I am not against development, I think it should just be a really simple and low-line development that would be well placed.”
Nearby residents are currently providing feedback on the proposal to the
City of Ballarat before councillors vote on the development.
Public submissions for the planning permit application close at 5pm on Friday. matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au
