The project, announced in September last year, was set to add 170 affordable homes and 70 private dwellings across six sites in Ashwood.

While some of the developments will have as few as 25 homes, a seven-storey apartment complex will be constructed at a site in Power Avenue.

The development was yet to be approved by Monash Council when it was announced.

But it will no longer need council approval with the state government "fast-tracking" the project and increasing the number of homes to 277, with 30 more affordable homes.

Although the council and residents will be consulted, an advisory committee will consider the proposal.

Ashwood resident Nick Holt said the suburb, which consisted mainly of single-storey homes, was not suitable for high-density social housing.

"I'm going to look outside my bedroom window of a morning and be faced with a giant brick wall.

"The only other big building in the area is Holmesglen TAFE, but even that is only three storeys."

Chadstone resident Tim Barber said he was not against public housing but he believed the project was too large for Power Avenue.

"It will stick out like a sore thumb and I don't believe concentrating a large number of people in such a small area is beneficial."

Mr Barber said he was concerned his input would not be given as much consideration after the project was fast-tracked by the government.

"It's undemocratic. They should not be calling in something like this – this is way beyond the pale and it's not reasonable to take it away from the council and all of the usual processes."

Fellow resident Sue Barber said the project was going to be tall and ugly.

"We don't have a problem with public housing but we don't want any skyscrapers in our neighbourhood. Holmesglen is only three levels and even that stands out so I can't imagine what seven would be like."

The State Government did not respond to the Journal's questions before publication.