The Lansell Crest development in East Bendigo, which would see more than 100 new homes fill an empty block close to the city, has been fiercely opposed by close to 100 residents through submissions to the City of Greater Bendigo.

Many cited poor living conditions, the associations of high-density housing to crime, and traffic chaos as their objections to the development, which would have 104 dwellings, ranging from two to five-bedroom houses. 

A planning application was adjusted last year by developer Damien Tangey to increase the project from 65 to 104 houses, and the council released public submissions to the proposal on Thursday ahead of the council meeting on May 17. 

Lansell Crest is the first of a number of sites identified by the City of Greater Bendigo for potential medium-density housing developments in the Greater Bendigo residential strategy 2014. 

The strategy resolved to “strongly support” the provision of medium-density housing, given more than 50 per cent of households in Bendigo were one or two-person occupied.

Mr Tangey said the city’s residential strategy encouraged him to amend the number of planned houses.

“There is a demand for a more diverse (housing) product,” he said.

Given the volume of submissions, councillors – at a council meeting on May 17 – will likely vote to request an independent, state government panel to consider the submissions, and act as an advisory committee. 

The state government planning minister will have the final say on the first large-scale medium-density housing project in Bendigo. 

The independent panel can make recommendation, which City of Greater Bendigo councillors can overrule during a vote at a council meeting.

A council vote can in turn be overruled by the sitting planning minister, who has the final say.

A concluding decision on the project, which could set a precedent for medium-density housing developments in the future, is expected in late 2018 or early 2019. 

The 2.6-hectare block at 39-51 Lansell Street – which extends back onto Lloyd Street – was formerly the Bendigo Abattoir and Country Roads Board, but all buildings have been demolished and the land decontaminated.

The Greater Bendigo residential strategy adopted in 2014 identifies the Lansell Street site as a “key development site” for the city.

In July 2016, the previous City of Greater Bendigo council voted to put a planning scheme amendment which would allow the project to go ahead on public display.

Mr Tangey said his company had developed a “vision for the reuse of an inner urban, former industrial site to ultimately provide a range of housing choices for current and future generations”.

The Birchgrove Property Managing Director said a gap existed in the current market, as “60-65 per cent of local housing was occupied by two people or less”.

“We do believe the proposal fits,” said Mr Tangey, acknowledging the strong opposition to his company’s plan.  

Many of the public submissions opposing the development cite poor living conditions, the associations of ‘high-density’ housing to crime, and traffic chaos. 

The 104 lots will range in size from 85 to 350sqm, with dwellings that are single, double or triple storey.