West Torrens Council panel to consider plans for $7 million, 22-unit apartment in Mile End, but neighbours are fighting it
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but some Mile End residents say a major housing project – recommended to go ahead – will ruin the character of their area.
West & Beaches
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Developers of a contentious western suburbs apartment block have removed a floor from the design but neighbours of the planned project say it’s still too large and out of character for the area.
West Torrens Council’s senior planner Phil Smith has recommended the approval of a four-storey, 22-apartment building on the corner of Ebor Ave and Norma Street, Mile End.
The 16.5m tall building, funded by Adelaide Sky Corporation, will feature one and two-bedroom apartments and will replace an existing bungalow on a 860 sqm block.
The apartments range in size from 74 sqm to 87 sqm, according to the planning report to be considered by the council’s assessment panel.
The project will also feature 33 parking spaces, 12 bicycle spaces, and a 590 sqm common garden.
Mr Smith’s report, to be considered at a panel meeting n Tuesday, describes the building, designed by DC Architecture, as being of a “contemporary design” largely complying with the zoning provisions of the area, including height, scale and setbacks.
“While it has been argued by some representors that the proposed development is not in keeping with the prevailing built form, it must be remembered that the first intrusion of a new, envisaged built form takes some adjustment of thinking,” Mr Smith wrote.
The project is the first of its type in Mile End since part of the suburb was rezoned in 2015 to allow taller and higher-density development.
Norma St resident Margaret-Ann Copeland said the “bulk” of the building was “frustrating and inconsiderate”.
Twelve adjoining poperties were notified of the proposal during public consultation and three neighbours have lodged objections to the plans citing issues such as the bulk of the property, overshadowing, overlooking, omissions in the architect’s report and that the design did not “reflect the prevailing character”, according to the council report.
The opponents and their own planning consultants are expected to make representations before the council.
Earlier plans for a five-storey building were lodged with the state’s planning assessment commission, which is the relevant authority for developments higher than four storeys.
The planning report states that those plans were put on hold pending the outcome of the council’s decision on the four-storey design.