State’s peak planning panel gives thumbs down to controversial Glenelg development

The fate of the controversial $165m, 13-storey development at the Seawall Apartments site at Glenelg has been decided.

SOS (Save our Seawall) members celebrating the news the Seawall Apartments development was knocked back by SCAP. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

THE contentious Seawall Apartments development at Glenelg has been knocked back by the state’s peak planning panel, after a marathon four hours of submissions.

SOS (Save Our Seawall) Apartments founding member Karen DeCean said she was “over the moon” that the project, which would have created a 13-storey luxury tower comprising 93 apartments at 21-25 South Esplanade at Glenelg, had been rejected.

“It’s a huge win for heritage,” Ms DeCean said.

“Ninety nine per cent (of opponents) expressed utter bewilderment and despair that this project could even be considered for development.

Adelaide-based architects and developers Chasecrown said they now would consider their options.

“Development approval of the project would have unlocked a significant investment by Chasecrown in the public realm around the building to benefit residents and the local community,” a statement said.

The developers said they planned to upgrade the pedestrian link between Oldham Street and the Esplanade with new trees, landscaping, green walls, patterned brick walkway and a new public art installation on the Esplanade by a local artist.

“Construction of the project would have created 400 local jobs,” they said.

The State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) said it was not satisfied the proposal met objectives of the City of Holdfast Bay Development Plan, was too big and did not take into account the heritage value of the old buildings on the site.

Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson said she was relieved at the decision after council’s battle against the plan, which was mainly due to issues with its height and size.

“It’s a huge win for common sense,” she said.

“It’s very unusual for SCAP to go against recommendations but in our view the recommendation (to approve the plan) was always flawed.”

SOS (Save our Seawall) members celebrating the news the Seawall Apartments development was knocked back by SCAP. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The Seawall Apartments as they stand. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Ms Wilson said it was pleasing that local heritage values had been taken into account.

“The residents did an amazing job of standing up for their local heritage and it (SCAP’s decision) is a real win for them,” she said.

“I think it will also set a precedent for other historic buildings in Adelaide.”

There were plenty of opponents who aired their views at this week’s public hearing on the project.

Lawyer David Billington, representing a local resident, likened the design to a cruise ship being parked on the foreshore.

Mr Billington also said the design was grossly excessive in terms of its height and scale.

“If this was a six-storey building proposed for a five-storey zone, that’s just pushing it to the edge, but this is 13-storeys,” he said.

Glenelg resident Andrew Zweck said the building would have had an “overwhelming” impact on the local area.