Cameron and Cowan appeal Gawler Council panel’s rejection of plans to remove historic tennis courts

A divisive plan to bulldoze century-old tennis courts will be battled out in court with the local heritage association saying the proposal has “no merit”.

Rejected plans to demolish two 118-year-old tennis courts – slammed as having “no merit” by a local heritage group – have been appealed by the developer.

Gawler Council assessment panel made the call in September, which also blocked the removal of fencing, 21 trees and light poles at 41-45 Cowan St with Cameron and Cowan now appealed in the Environment, Resources and Development Court.

The panel found the plan would not maintain, and detract from, the heritage and cultural values of the land, which was declared a State Heritage Area in 1985.

Consultant URPS, on behalf of the applicant, had proposed to gift commemorative plaques at the site to land owner Synod Diocese Adelaide Anglican Church, panel documents show.

The tennis courts were built in 1903 according to a local heritage association. Picture: Gawler History Team Facebook

The land was formerly home to a school before the courts were established in 1903.

However, the plan was opposed by nine residents and the Gawler Environment and Heritage Association.

They were concerned with an “absence of detail for the future development of land”, the removal of trees, the reduction of historic character of the area and setting an “undesirable precedent”, the report found.

However, URPS submitted that Heritage SA had declared the proposal was acceptable.

“Contrary to the comments of the representers, the proposal will not diminish the true heritage (of the area)... and its values will be maintained and conserved,” URPS submitted.

“The tennis courts are not an important or notable visual feature within the locality.

The courts have received several upgrades over the decades. Picture: Google Maps

“The land will simply retain its open character after removal of the tennis courts, chain link fencing and lighting.

“The proposal does not yet include replacement development, which will be the subject of a future application for separate consideration.”

Council staff had recommended the plan go ahead, with the relocation of the plaques to the nearby St George’s Anglican Church ensuring the previous history of the site and the removal of the courts would not diminish the site’s historic value.

However, Gawler Environment and Heritage Association spokesman Adrian Shackley said the plan had “no merit”.

“The area’s been there for over 100 years for sporting and recreational activities, it’s been a pretty important part of the community over that time,” Mr Shackley said.

“We’d like it to stay that way.

“It’s basically got no merit at this stage. The whole of the area has a high level of historic integrity, people are very worried about what might happen.”

He feared a large development was proposed considering two plaques were planned to be removed.

“They are both on the edge of the site. It’s hard to imagine they couldn’t stay there unless it’s a pretty intense development,” he said.

The council and URPS have been contacted for further comment.

The matter returns to court in December.