‘Abbotsleigh’ Bowen Hills saved from demolition, ‘Fenton’ under threat

THE State Government has intervened to save an historic inner Brisbane home from demolition, as attention turns to another at risk from development.

Planning Minister Jackie Trad (left) has come to the rescue of ‘Abbotsleigh’, which is in Grace Grace’s (right) electorate of Brisbane Central.

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BRISBANE’S historic Abbotsleigh house has been saved from demolition.

Bellbird Park Developments had wanted to knock down the historic house to allow for a high-density residential project, but Planning Minister Jackie Trad said the Government had listened to the community.

Economic Development Queensland told the Government the development application would not be approved if it involved the “extensive demolition” of Abbotsleigh.

Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace and Planning Minister Jackie Trad at ‘Abbotsleigh’ in Bowen Hills.

Abbotsleigh, on Abbotsford Rd in inner-city Bowen Hills, was built in the 1880s and is one of the suburb’s few remaining buildings of that era.

“Abbotsleigh is a place of local significance to Brisbane, and feedback from the community has overwhelmingly told us that it should be preserved as part of our inner city streetscape,” Ms Trad said.

“After engaging an independent heritage consultant, we’ve found that repairs to the home following a fire in 2011 are sympathetic to its original style and have not diminished its local heritage significance.”

Judy Noble, Marie Rosbrook and Gerry White are concerned ‘Fenton’ at New Farm may be relocated to make way for a development. Pic: Liam Kidston

Bowen Hills was listed as a priority development area in 2008. Applications are approved by the department of planning.

But another controversial development is planned for New Farm and involves moving one of the most historic houses in New Farm almost 20m forward on its block to make room for three townhouses.

The proposal would destroy sections of the garden at the property, known as Fenton, on Bowen Terrace.

It was designed by renowned Brisbane architect Robin Dods and was once the home of the state’s 20th premier Edward Granville Theodore – commonly referred to as “Red Ted”.

Historic New Farm home ‘Fenton’. Pic: Liam Kidston

New Farm and Districts Historical Society president Ross Garnett said Fenton should not be redeveloped.

“Raising this house will profoundly alter the proportions of this very typical Robin Dods’ design, and moving the house closer to the road will reduce the substantial garden which is a major streetscape feature and presents a fitting entrance to this very significant house,” he said.

Brisbane City Council city planning committee chairman Julian Simmonds said the assessment of the plans for Fenton would take into account its history.

“Consultation has closed and feedback will be considered as part of the assessment, including the concerns raised by the local councillor,” Cr Simmonds said.

Fenton was bought in November for $2.3 million by Strathallan Pty Ltd.