OTR owners, Peregrine Corporation, scale back plans for its Kensington headquarters: Is it enough?
THE company that owns the On The Run network of service stations has scaled back plans for its new $50m headquarters in Adelaide’s historic inner east. But is it enough to appease worried locals?
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PLANS for a $50 million office tower in Kensington have been scaled back in response to concerns the seven-storey building would ruin the historic character of the area.
But residents say a less than 4m reduction in the height of Peregrine Corporation’s proposed new head office on The Parade is a “token response” that does little to appease community fears.
A report released last week showed the height of the office building would be lowered from 38m to 34.8m under final plans for the project.
The report, from MPH Architects, stated the changes had taken into account neighbours’ concerns, while ensuring the development would be a “landmark … and gateway” to The Parade.
Local residents’ groups, Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council and Clayton Wesley Uniting Church last year raised concerns that the complex – the equivalent of a nine-storey building – would tower over The Parade/Portrush Rd intersection and create traffic problems in the area.
Norwood Residents’ Association president Jim Dunk last week said the height reduction was not enough to lessen the bulk and scale of the office block.
“The changes are very minor, a token response, really,” Mr Dunk said.
“It is still by far the biggest building in the area and it will affect the heritage (buildings) on the other corners of the intersection.”
Kensington Residents’ Association secretary Andrew Dyson agreed, saying the high-rise development was not suited to the area.
“The area is zoned for two storey, that was approved by the (Planning) Minister, why should it be any different for Peregrine?” Mr Dyson said.
“If you want to build something like this, go somewhere where it is already zoned.”
The project – which the State Government declared of economic significance to the state – includes six levels of offices, a 50m indoor swimming pool and a gym.
The Eastern Courier Messenger last month reported a decision on the plans was expected to be made by the middle of the year.
Meanwhile, a State Government spokeswoman confirmed Mr Rau would not assess Peregrine’s application to avoid the “potential perception” of a conflict of interest.
“In a former role as a lawyer, Minister Rau provided legal advice to the applicant’s business,” she said.
“This is the only major development application for the Peregrine Corporation which has been presented to this Minister for Planning.”
Cabinet Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith will instead assess the project before Govenor Hieu Van Le makes a final decision, she said.