Hickinbotham Group plans more houses for $215 million Seaford Meadows development
A revised plan featuring more homes and open space has been lodged with the state planning authority for a controversial housing estate at Seaford Meadows.
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The developer behind a controversial $215 million development at Seaford Meadows says it has been forced to add more homes to the project to maintain its “commercial viability”.
Hickinbotham Group has lodged an updated plan with the state planning authority for the 42ha development at the corner of Commercial and Jared roads, which increases the number of blocks from 625 to 706.
It also includes 7.5ha of open space – up from 6ha in the original plan.
It comes just months after Onkaparinga Council agreed to sideline Supreme Court action against the development and negotiate with Hickinbotham rather than proceeding to a formal trial process.
The development, which has been opposed by residents who fear increased traffic congestion, was given the green light by the state planning authority in August last year.
Hickinbotham managing director Michael Hickinbotham said the revised plan took into account the council’s feedback and was “fully compliant” with its development plan.
He said the estate would feature at least eight different reserves, including a major north-south linear park weaving through the development.
An entrance on the estate’s northern side will be replaced by one on Jared Rd.
Mr Hickinbotham said the 13 per cent increase in the number of homes was necessary to “maintain the project’s commercial viability” due to the “uncertain and longer than expected approvals process”.
“Everyone has had a say – it is now time to get this project up and running,” Mr Hickinbotham said.
“The new plan can be fully assessed and approved by the council, and we’re hoping that can happen quickly given the amount of work to get to this point.
“While it has been a challenging approval process, we have sought to reflect substantial stakeholder interests but also be mindful that we are contractually bound by the government to get this large-scale project underway as the initial contract award is now more than 18 months ago.”
Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the council was yet to formally receive Hickinbotham’s updated application.
“It is important to note that this is an entirely separate application to that which the council has decided to appeal (in the Supreme Court),” Ms Thompson said.
“As such, and in the event that it is referred to us as the relevant planning authority, it will be assessed against the provisions of the Development Act and the council’s development plan.
“We are still undergoing mediation with Hickinbotham and hope to achieve the best possible outcomes for our community through that process.”
The land was zoned residential in 1988.
Renewal SA called for expressions of interest to develop the site in 2016 and it was sold to the Hickinbotham Group in 2017.
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