A historic Fisher Street home may be levelled despite 57 independent complaints against the proposal
A historic late-1800s home is set to be levelled despite an outcry from concerned residents who don’t want to see a modern structure take its place.
Local
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Members of the public are outraged by a plan to demolish a 135-year-old Fullarton home, with a view to subdivide and construct new buildings on the site.
The 1886 bluestone villa at 70 Fisher St, which features five bedrooms, three living areas, two bathrooms and an underground cellar, was sold on December 8 last year for $1.2m.
Despite stunning renovations, the new owner lodged an application to demolish the home on June 15, and a land division has been approved on the site for two allotments.
The proposal prompted 57 public responses via the South Australian planning portal, PlanSA, each arguing the historic home brought unique value to the suburb.
“What is the need to destroy heritage? Plenty of other ugly homes can be demolished instead,” Ryan Piez wrote.
“This home would look fantastic with a modern extension on the back. No need to demolish it all for the sake of profit.”
“This is such a beautiful home, it is not in disrepair and it would be such a waste to demolish it. Australia needs history,” Clare Pennington wrote.
Many submissions to the planning authority pointed to the possibility of new buildings being built on the 1014sq m block, and the lack of appeal of new homes.
“Please don’t allow this gorgeous home with such history and street appeal to be bulldozed and/or replaced with another hideous new build, of which there are many examples in the council area already,” Nicole Flint wrote.
Tracy Adams submitted the house’s good condition made its demolition unnecessary.
“Adelaide is losing its architectural heritage, other properties of this age have fallen into disrepair and been demolished, but this property has been lovingly restored and should not be demolished,” she wrote.
“How do we save our history?”
Unley Council development manager Gary Brinkworth said approval for the demolition was still pending.
“There is no formal avenue for residents to voice their concerns on the demolition of the dwelling given it is not publicly notified,” he said.
The council’s assessment panel meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm, with the next meeting scheduled for July 20.
More Coverage
‘I tried 15 mins of hypnotherapy a day for IBS and it’s life-changing’
Joanna could only book afternoon flights because she spent her mornings on the toilet with crippling IBS – now her life isn’t dictated by her chronic condition.
Another suspicious fire at a tobacco store in Adelaide’s east
Police have launched an investigation into a suspicious fire at an eastern suburbs smokes store. It comes as a Flinders Park business was targeted two days in a row.