Italia Ceramics family plans St Peter’s apartment block next to old Jam Factory on Payneham Rd

Neighbours are in a jam over plans for a five-storey apartment, office and townhouse development next to a notable heritage building.

Residents in a heritage-listed eastern suburbs building are in a jam over plans to demolish a neighbouring shop for a $16m five-storey apartment block.

The South Australian family-owned Italia Ceramics company wants to flatten the existing Adelaide Appliance Gallery and build a mixed-use property with 32 apartments, six two-storey townhouses and ground floor retail at 151-155 Payneham Rd, St Peters.

The area is zoned for a maximum two storeys.

The project has upset residents of the converted neighbouring 110-year-old Jam Factory. They argue it is too big, will increase traffic congestion and is not fitting with the suburb’s historic character.

The development also would span a vacant block next to the appliance shop and be located next to an Ultra Tune mechanic workshop on the corner of Payneham Rd and Stephen Tce.

Italia Ceramics, owned by the Vozzo family, have an existing development approval for a two-storey office building on the vacant block but that would be replaced in favour of the new proposal.

The apartments would be two-bedroom, ranging from 72 to 93 sqm, with balconies ranging from 13 to 52 sqm.

The development would have 76 onsite car parks and space for 22 bicycles.

Robert Vozzo said the design of the project would “seeks to complement” the former Jam Factory

“The development is in keeping with the scale of other high density residential developments within the surrounding area,” he said.

“Our application has been development in close collaboration with an expert heritage advisor and an award-winning architectural firm with experience in similar developments.”

He said the site was an ideal location for a “higher scale development” and would provide housing choice, jobs during construction and meet a “commercial and housing market which is under served”.

He said the apartments would target people wanting to downsize but stay in the area and young professionals working in the CBD.

The proposed apartment, townhouse and office development for 151-155 Payneham Rd, St Peters which will replace the existing Adelaide Appliance centre. Design: Tectvs

The old Jam Factory building on Payneham Road which contains 20 units.

Jam Factory resident and body corporate secretary Peter King was furious residents were notified of the plans on December 6 and given until December 20 to lodge objections.

“Without wanting to sound cynical, to release this detail just before Christmas, with limited response time, and not informing other residents in the area who will also be affected, stinks,” he said.

“This development exhibits no sympathy to the heritage aspects of the Jam Factory and other buildings nearby, and has scant regard for the character of the St Peters neighbourhood.

“Due to the height of the proposed building and project scope, there are significant issues relating to privacy, overshadowing, traffic, parking and safety.”

The shared courtyard of the old Jam Factory which was converted to include 20 units.

A resident who is also on the Jam Factory’s management committee but spoke on condition of anonymity was worried about the impact of demolition on the Jam Factory.

She said the project was an overdevelopment and would put pressure on local roads.

“It’s too tall … it really should be two-storey,” she said. “It’s also not heritage sympathetic; it needs to be something that complements the Jam Factory, not mocks it.”

The state co-ordinator general in January approved a request by the Vozzos’ consultants to have the project assessed by the State Commission Assessment Panel instead of the Norwood Payneham and St Peters Council.