The development at the old site of the Hampton Park Food Market has progressed as the Casey Council granted an amended planning permit earlier this month.
The development is expected to feature more than 100 apartments and retail/office spaces.
The address of 65 Hallam Road, located next to the Hampton Park Shopping Centre, has been sitting empty for over five years.
Star News reported in late January this year that the landowner was frustrated that a “minor” amendment approval held up the development.
Fast forward five months to early July, Sandra Le, the landowner, received the amendment permit.
“The delay has cost us tremendously, but I hope the Council won’t take this long to issue the building permit next,” Ms Le said.
Ms Le received a permit for the site in 2019 and endorsement in late 2022 for a development including basement parking, retail, commercial space, and over 100 apartments.
Rising construction costs delayed the project for about a year. Ms Le submitted a planning amendment in August last year once the situation stabilised.
Despite a pre-meeting with council support, Ms Le said her amendment application had taken longer than she expected, after the assigned planning officer went on leave in November and a new one had to take over.
Casey Mayor Councillor Stefan Koomen said planning officers had carefully reviewed the planning application and given it the green light.
“I want to thank the local Hampton Park community for your patience while our officers were considering this application. I know that many residents have been waiting to see what would be made of this site,” he said.
“Granting of the amended permit now means the landowner can progress with the staged development of 79 apartments, and 86 serviced apartments in addition to retail/office spaces.
“Once this site is developed, it will be fantastic to have short-stay accommodation offerings in Hampton Park. This will provide accommodation options for workers and visitors and will attract more business into the area.”
According to the Council, the permitted development will also see improvements to the road and drainage infrastructure within the site.
The planning permit requires the construction of a public road immediately south of the McDonald’s restaurant to provide a formal accessway.
This location has been a pain point for locals over recent years, due to issues related to potholes and flooding.
“Councillors are aware of the ongoing flooding issues related to the Hampton Park Shopping Centre and McDonald’s car park entrance,” Mayor Cr Koomen said.
“Now that officers have approved the amended planning permit, the landowner can take steps towards development of the site. This will include constructing a new road and appropriate drainage.”
River Gum Ward Cr Lynette Pereira said she was pleased to see the community given reassurance on this site.
“I’m really excited for the future of Hampton Park, there are some positive things coming. This development is one step forward in our work to ensure Hampton Park is an attractive and safe place to live, work and play,” she said.
Mayor Cr Koomen noted that as the land is privately owned, council has no role in the construction or timing of development.
