Life Care scraps proposal to upgrade three aged care facilities in Joslin, Norwood and Glen Osmond

LIFE Care has scrapped its plans for high-rise retirement villages in Adelaide’s east amid overwhelming community opposition — but it hasn’t abandoned the proposal completely.

The revised concept plan for the Life Care development in Joslin.

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LIFE Care has scrapped its plans for high-rise retirement villages in Adelaide’s east amid overwhelming community opposition — but it hasn’t abandoned the proposal completely.

The aged-care provider announced on Monday it had withdrawn applications with the State Government to redevelop its homes at Joslin, Norwood and Glen Osmond.

The projects were originally estimated to be worth $250 million.

Life Care chief executive Allen Candy said it was a “prudent decision” given the widespread community angst over the height and scale of the three proposals.

Artist impression of Life Care's vision for the Norwood retirement home.

Mr Candy said the organisation was still committed to upgrading the three homes — but only after extensive consultation with local residents.

Life Care will revisit the design concepts next year.

“We have made a decision to withdraw from the planning process to give us more time to consider how we can balance height and density against the critical services we believe are essential … to caring for Adelaide’s ageing residents,” Mr Candy said.

“We are committed to changing the way aged-care is delivered in Adelaide and proving the very best quality and choice to deliver a better quality of life to older South Australians.”

Artists impressions of the Life Care aged home in Joslin.

Locals residents had voiced their concerns about the height of the developments as well as new rules which allow aged-care projects valued at more than $20 million to be assessed directly by Planning Minister John Rau.

The nine-storey Glen Osmond concept was put on hold last month with Life Care promising further consultation with locals, while the Joslin project was scaled down from seven to five storeys during the Major Project planning process.