The Block is back! Production begins on season 16 as five derelict homes are transported to a $15MILLION site in Melbourne... after neighbours were left in uproar over the development

Locals in Brighton, Melbourne, were in uproar last year over the new Block site, fearing that production of the show would 'ruin' their suburb.

But Channel Nine is going ahead with the project despite complaints, with five run-down homes being transported onto the 2,761-square metre building site on New Street earlier this week.

Producers had originally bought the land for $15million in April but renovations seem to have only started recently, with tradesmen arriving on Wednesday. 

In photos obtained by Daily Mail Australia, five houses dating from the 1930s to 1960s can be seen on the building site. 

The homes have been positioned with plenty of room for front gardens, spacious backyards and rear access to the properties.

For the crew - and potentially the show's foremen, Keith and Dan - a separate office space has been built at the back of the plot. 

While work has already started in earnest, it's believed the contestants won't arrive until next month. 

Last year, it was reported that some elderly residents near the site were 'selling their homes' amid fears the show would 'ruin' their quiet street. 

Mrs Landes, whose unit of 36 years is separated from the site by an old fence, told Daily Mail Australia in September that the development would likely block the small amount of sun her home gets. 

'My unit is already very cold and it'll block the sun,' she said.

She added: 'I'll miss the sunsets too and they'll be so much noise. Wherever they build, there will be noise, but what can you do about it?' 

Mrs Landes, who moved into the rented unit in 1983, said that one neighbour was planning on selling her home before any renovations begin.

A second neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, said The Block would 'change their quiet street forever' and they've known about the plans for months. 

The Andrina Nursing Home was based at the address until 2014, before it was knocked down with developers hoping to build 13 luxury townhouses.

After these plans eventually fell through and the site was left empty for years, Nine's MicJoy Pty Ltd purchased the spot in April 2019 for $14.96million.  

According to Domain, the company's application mentioned 'relocating five homes to the site' - similar to the show's 2017 season in Elsternwick.