Residents in last-ditch bid to stop $250 million redevelopment of Le Cornu site at North Adelaide

Residents opposed to the $250m redevelopment of the former Le Cornu site at North Adelaide are making one last attempt to stop the three apartment towers.

North Adelaide residents are preparing to make a last-ditch attempt to stop the controversial $250 million redevelopment of the former Le Cornu site on O’Connell Street.

The State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) will meet on Wednesday morning to determine if a proposal to build three apartment towers above a two-storey podium containing shops, cafes and bars will receive planning approval.

Several neighbours have sought permission to address the panel about the height, size and density of the joint venture project between the Adelaide City Council and a private developer, Commercial & General.

More than 180 people recently attended a public meeting to protest about the two 13-level towers and one 15-storey tower, arguing they would cause overshadowing and adversely impact on North Adelaide’s heritage values.

Residents have been particularly disappointed that the council originally called for submissions from developers for projects not exceeding eight storeys before entering into a partnership with Commercial & General to reach 15 levels.

Their concerns about potential overshadowing have been shared by the government’s chief architect, Kirsteen Mackay, who has told SCAP there was a risk of the apartment blocks blocking sunlight on nearby properties.

Artist's impression of the proposed development by Commercial & General at 88 O'Connell Street on the former Le Cornu site. Picture: Supplied

“I am concerned by overshadowing consequences to the lower level apartments in the central and southern buildings and overshadowing impacts to the broader precincts,” says her report.

“I also note that City of Adelaide principles expressed a preference for a variety of buildings up to nominally eight storeys, which may have established height expectations for the community.

“To this end, I recommend further review of amenity impacts arising from the proposed building height, including detailed analysis of overshadowing within the site itself and the broader precinct.”

In a letter supporting the application, the council’s acting chief executive, Clare Mockler, said the project was an “iconic point of change for North Adelaide which will ultimately maximise the economic, retail and commercial vibrancy of O’Connell Street”.

“Council views the proposal as being of an exemplary standard and market leading in Australia,” she said.

Artist's impression of the proposed development by Commercial & General at 88 O'Connell Street on the former Le Cornu site. Picture: Supplied

“Particular care and scrutiny have been given to ensure loading and traffic aspects, setback and shadowing impact minimally on surrounding residential zones and businesses,” she said.

A spokesman for a North Adelaide residents group opposed to the project, Robert Farnan, said people felt “betrayed” by the council over its size and height.

“It is completely inappropriate to overwhelm a historic centre of international significance with a block-long monolithic structure,” he said.

“We urge the Lord Mayor to abandon the currently fraught proposal, return to the guiding principles of eight storeys and work to regain the trust of her ratepayers.”

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said she was looking forward to SCAP considering the planning application.

“It’s wonderful to see momentum continuing to build on this city-shaping project that will transform such an iconic site,” she said.

“It has taken a lot of hard work and consultation over many years to get to this point and the end result is going to be something truly special.”