Land zone change to allow five-storey building along Kensington Rd, likely to be medical or allied health centre

A five-level medical centre is set to be built along Kensington Rd after the Planning Minister changed zoning rules.

The Straight Smile Centre on the corner of Portrush and, Kensington roads, where a medical development up to five storeys will one day be built.

A medical centre up to five levels high is slated for Portrush Rd after changes to land zoning that previously kept buildings to two storeys.

Planning Minister Nick Champion has approved the change for the 6500sq m Straight Smile Centre site, owned by Nicalnat Group, bound by Portrush Rd, Kensington Rd and the quiet, residential Donegal St to the west.

The centre would eventually be joined by a “purpose-built, multi-level, mixed use medical and allied health hub” that could reach to 18.5m, to capitalise on the nearby private Burnside hospital.

Three-storey housing would be built along the Donegal St side of the land.

The area where the code amendment has been approved for Portrush Rd, allowing buildings up to five storeys across part of the site.

Straight Smile Centre owner managing director Dr Grant Duncan said no definitive plans existed yet for the site.

“The main thing we want to accomplish is a new home for the Straight Smile Centre, which has been on this location for more than 35 years,” he said.

Most of the land was previously zoned as neighbourhood, allowing low-density homes up to two storeys.

Under the changes, the area is now zoned to allow community, educational, recreational and healthcare facilities – while a ‘subzone’ permits three-storey townhouses along Donegal St.

A heritage listing for the bluestone, two-storey building at 139 Kensington Road was kept and updated to include the stone and iron fence.

Mr Champion said the large site was well suited for a multi-level, mixed-use medical facility

“It would be better able to accommodate modern medical technologies than the site’s existing former residential dwellings, that have been repurposed,” he said.

The amendment documents say many of the buildings are no longer suitable for modern consulting practices.

The Advertiser understands most of the residential properties on Donegal St are rentals.

Minutes to Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Council in 2023 reveal council staff were concerned the rezoning could allow “entirely residential” development.

The area where the code amendment has been approved for Portrush Rd, allowing buildings up to five storeys across part of the site. straight smile centre.

“If a medical centre, of up to five storeys, is not ultimately found to be viable once rezoning has occurred, this would enable an entirely residential option to be pursued on the property,” council staff wrote in a report.

“The council is well-advised to take a long-term perspective on what potential future uses may occupy this property, including up to five-storey residential. “

On Monday, a council spokeswoman said a number of council’s concerns had been resolved through amendments.

“However any potential issues, such as traffic management, would need to be assessed as part of a future development proposal,” she said.

The Advertiser has been told a new code amendment would be required for housing across the entire block.

Mr Champion there had been “considerable investigations and consultation” into the impact rezoning would have.

“I am satisfied various aspects such as traffic movement, access, carparking, interfaces, character and amenity will be appropriately managed through the development assessment process.

“Future development applications will still be subject to planning approvals and be referred to the Commissioner of Highways to manage potential impacts on the adjacent road network.”