Mile End locals vow to fight plans for seven-storey apartments

Residents are fighting plans for a $25m apartment block close to Adelaide city, saying it’s completely out of character for the area.

Artist's impression of Otello’s apartment and townhouse development in Mile End. Picture: Supplied by Otello

Residents are vowing to fight plans for a seven-storey apartment complex in Mile End, arguing it is too tall, does not have enough car parks and is inconsistent with the character of the neighbourhood.

Otello is planning a $25m development on the site bounded by Railway Tce, Junction Lane and Hughes St, comprising eight two and three-storey townhouses and a seven-storey building with 26 apartments and a cafe.

The proposed 27.5m apartment complex is 3m taller than the current height limit for the site.

However, in a report supporting the development application, planning consultant Ekistics notes that the proposed height includes a rooftop terrace that is “generously set back” and would not be visible from surrounding streets.

Otello’s plan includes seven storeys of apartments on the corner of Railway Tce, Hughes St and Junction Lane. Picture: State Planning Commission

It also argues that three-storey townhouses to be built next to the apartments provide an “appropriate transition down” to established residences to the south and west.

Michael White, who is leading a group of residents opposed to the project, said its scale was completely inconsistent with the character of the area.

“We’re quite happy with urban infill as long as it’s done in an appropriate way,” he said.

“There’s nothing more than three storeys in the area currently so something of that nature would be good.

“But there’s more to it than just height. There are parking issues that impact the local area, the lack of green space and the sustainability elements of the development – there are a whole raft of concerns.

“The site was previously rezoned as if it were on Henley Beach Rd which it’s not - it’s right next to a whole raft of older dwellings, most of which were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and it’s just incongruous to the whole urban fabric of the area.”

Otello’s proposal includes 48 basement and street-level car parks for residents and customers – four short of the recommended number for the development size.

But Ekistics argues it is a sufficient number given the ease of access to public transport and on-street parking options on Railway Tce.

Neighbouring residents have until Wednesday to submit their feedback on the proposal to the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP), before it decides whether to award Otello planning approval.

Otello director Daniel Harris said his company would “review and consider” submissions received during the public notification period.