Scandal on The Block: Producers caught up in heritage road block ahead of production on new season as one property is designed by a world-renowned architect
The upcoming season of The Block will see teams renovating in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac in Melbourne.
But production has already hit a snag, with a local resident pushing for heritage protection for one of the homes.
According to Domain, the property was designed by renowned Melbourne architect Neil Clerehan.
Trouble: Production on The Block has hit a snag, with a local resident pushing for heritage protection for one of the homes (pictured)
‘It was identified as being of architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Bayside in a draft study in 2008, but a heritage overlay covering the home was never introduced,’ reports Domain.
The property was recently sold to producers behind the reality show for $3,025,000.
An interim protection order request was made to Heritage Victoria by a local committee member, but it was declined for lack of evidence.
The member is now trying to take the case further by contacting the Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne and the National Trust to press the case.
Lights, camera, action! The Block is hosted by Scott Cam (pictured). It will return for a new season in 2021
Last week, The Block’s executive producer Julian Cress told Domain that the show has ‘always celebrated’ heritage features and would not be demolishing the homes.
‘Some of the houses do have some lovely heritage features,’ he said.
The new season of The Block is set in the quiet cul-de-sac in Bronte Court, Melbourne.
The affluent suburb is 14km from Melbourne’s CBD and is in the City of Bayside, which is the council involved with the current season.
TV Tonight has compared the location to Ramsay Street – the cosy neighbourhood featured in soap opera Neighbours.
Suburban: The new season of The Block is set in the quiet cul-de-sac in Bronte Court, Melbourne (pictured)