Magill residents lose battle against 29-townhouse development in Alton Ave
A huge 29-townhouse development will be built in a quiet suburban street, with residents “gutted” the project has been given the official go-ahead.
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Magill residents who objected to a huge development in their quiet suburban street have lost their battle, with a council planning panel giving it the go-ahead.
Campbelltown Council staff recommended approval be given to the 29-townhouse project after another bid by a developer, Oxford Living, to build a large retirement village on the site was withdrawn.
More than 20 property owners on Alton Ave and Bricknell St lodged submissions against the proposal, with one describing it as “looking like a ghetto”.
Most objected to the size and appearance of the development, which will be built on a 5172sq m site currently occupied by four houses and two vacant blocks.
Oxford Living lodged the application to erect the townhouses before Campbelltown Council last year received special permission to increase its minimum building block size from 150sq m to 250sq m.
In their report to the council’s assessment panel, planning officers said while the Oxford Living proposal could have been designed differently, it complied with development regulations.
This was despite concerns about overshadowing onto neighbouring properties and lack of direct sunlight onto private space within the development because of its northerly orientation.
“It is considered that the proposal reasonably satisfies the relevant objectives and principles of development control in relation to design and appearance for a development of this nature,” it said.
“While it is considered that the orientation and layout of the development is not an ideal outcome and an alternative design could be accommodated on the subject site, this one provision, on balance, is not considered fatal to the development overall.”
Alton Ave resident Sandra Mestros started a Facebook page campaigning against urban infill, which has caused widespread community angst across the Campbelltown Council area and other parts of metropolitan Adelaide.
Mrs Mestros said residents were “gutted” by the panel’s decision to “rubber stamp” the project – which cannot be challenged by elected members.
“Unfortunately, the 22 representers’ concerns were not clearly addressed or discussed,” she said.
“The panel did not consider the emotional cost to the residents who live here.
“They did not consider that we are all average homeowners, who have invested many years in our quiet street.”
Mrs Mestros said the planning process was “too complex and hard to understand”.
“It is clearly geared towards town planners, their builders and those wishing to maximise their profits,” she said.
Mrs Mestros said while Oxford Living might feel they had “a victory”, residents would continue to voice their concerns.
“We will continue to be vigilant to ensure that their rights are heard and protected,” she said.
“While we are gutted, we will continue to ‘say no’.”
Comment is being sought from Oxford Living.