Westpac site on Pierson Rd, Lockleys, approved for four storeys under land rezoning

A smaller parcel of land along the River Torrens can soon house apartment buildings up to four storeys – but neighbours are furious.

Medium-density housing up to four storeys could be developed in Lockleys, south of the River Torrens, after the Planning Minister approved changes to building height rules.

Nick Champion last month adopted a code amendment for a 4.87ha site at 25 Pierson St in Lockleys, set to turn the employment zone – currently inhabited by a Westpac mortgage centre and childcare facilities – into a suburban and urban renewal neighbourhood zone.

The move signals the end of a years-long clash over building heights between developers Pierson and Lockleys residents, who have fought to restrict development to two storeys at the site.

Pierson initially lodged a code amendment for six-storey housing at the site but that was rejected by Mr Champion after strong opposition from local residents.

The developers later lodged an amended plan that proposed a mixture of two- to four-storey buildings at the site.

Plans for changes to building heights at 25 Pierson St, Lockleys. Picture: Supplied.

Under changes approved by Mr Champion, building heights will be restricted to two and three levels at the edges of the site and four storeys in the centre.

Lockleys residents Sally Hannan said while three-storey development was better than six, further housing in the area would create congestion on already narrow roads.

“Rowells Rd/Findon Rd is single lane in some areas and will be overloaded due to the housing development,” she said.

“We’ve tried to fight it but can’t stop it.”

Mr Champion said the rezoning will support the growing population and demand for residential development in the region.

“These maximum building heights are seen as more complementary to the locality than those previously explored building heights of up to six levels,” he said.

The Westpac mortgage centre in Lockleys, which would be redeveloped the site have up to four-storey buildings under an approved land rezoning.

West Torrens councillor Daniel Huggett said it was “disappointing” a two-storey neighbourhood could now see buildings grow to four storeys.

Mr Huggett said he supported urban infill in the right places but the site “wasn’t the place for four storeys”.

“We are in a housing crisis and we do need to increase the amount of housing that we have in South Australia but we just need to make sure that the infrastructure that we have supports the urban infill.”

The Lockleys site is currently home to a Westpac Mortgage Centre and childcare facilities. Picture: supplied

A West Torrens spokesperson said council supported changes around maximum building heights approved by Mr Champion, adding the government has responded to its concerns around stormwater discharge.

Mr Champion said infrastructure and augmentation requirements will be considered as part of future development applications relating to the area.

He also noted the site is leased to the commercial sector until 2030.

Planning and development consultancy Future Urban, which lodged plans for Pierson, did not respond to a request for comment from The Advertiser.

The Advertiser understands the code amendment has now been referred to the Environment Resources and Development Committee of parliament.