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Redevelopment for historic Nunawading site heads to tribunal

Plans for 700 dwellings around former ATV0 building could impact Neighbours locations, if approved.

A major redevelopment of the former ATV-0 Nunawading site is on the cards, with plans for a 700-dwelling “Forest Ridge.”

Plans indicate the 1963 building would remain but if successful it could impact exterior locations used by Neighbours, including the famed ‘Lassiters’ site.

The building, which won an architectural award in 1965, was given a heritage overlay by Whitehorse Council last year. Developer plans indicate an extension to the front of the building would be removed to restore it to its original facade. It is currently leased by FremantleMedia Australia.

But ambitious plans for housing up to 6 storeys is earmarked for exterior Neighbours sites, including the backlot Lassiters complex (originally built for 1981’s Holiday Island), the 2013 construction of  full-size backyards of Ramsay Street houses plus the ‘Power Road’ streetscape facade of ‘Grease Monkeys’ and Fitzgerald Motors (previously Carpenters Mechanics).

However the Herald Sun reports Whitehorse Council voted against the application after receiving 101 submissions, 72 of which opposed the development and another 29 raising concerns.

“The main issue is the maximum building height which is 6 storeys, while our own strategy says 4 storeys,” Cr. Bill Bennett said.

“It doesn’t keep with the neighbourhood character at all … and the community deserves better.”

A spokesperson for FremantleMedia Australia told TV Tonight, “We’re working with both the developer and Whitehorse Council to ensure that Neighbours is not impacted.”

Developers 10 Consulting Group have applied to take their plans to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Over several decades the site was home to  Prisoner, Young Talent Time, Rove Live, The Magic Circle Club, Holiday Island, The Comedy Company, Carson’s Law, The Box, Kommotion, The Early Bird Show and TEN Eyewitness News.

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