Church move to save Plenty homes

SEVERAL Plenty homes and businesses appear to have been saved after plans to move a heritage-listed church were approved.

State Planning Minister Matthew Guy yesterday gazetted a planning amendment to allow for a Yan Yean Rd future upgrade, which places compulsory acquisition overlays over dozens of properties.

Planning consultant Michael Dunn, who helped residentsfight VicRoads' preferred plans, said the Minister chose VicRoads' "consultation option", which moved the heritage-listed Plenty Methodist Church to save several houses.

Mr Dunn said the choice was a "great outcome" for most landowners and businesses near River Ave, including Diamond Valley Garden Centre, which stood to lose its car park.

He said it was unfortunate proposed service lanes were not deleted but hoped they could be removed in the future.

"While we are disappointed that the acquisition area is based on a design that includes service lanes, we would hope that common sense will prevail when VicRoads undertake detailed design of the road upgrade and that the service lanes will be deleted, thus saving taxpayers from unnecessary land acquisition and construction costs with no real benefit for road users."

Resident Meredith Berry's home, which she bought with husband Nigel in 1976, appears to have avoided the wrecking ball.

Mrs Berry said the couple were "absolutely delighted" but were unsure how much land would be lost.

"We are getting ready for retirement and did not know what was going to happen, so now we can plan," Mrs Berry said.

"We hope they send us a letter as we want to see the detail."

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Church move to save Plenty homes