The South Australian Planning Commission is currently considering a plan to redevelop the historic Buckingham Arms site in Walkerville.
The proposal includes the construction of a 10-storey mixed-use building, featuring approximately 180 apartments, 11 townhouses, four-level office building and basement carparking.
The Buckingham Arms is a Local Heritage Listed Place and the heritage elements will remain in their current form, however development is proposed to occur around the site, Town of Walkerville Council said in a statement.
“The application is being assessed by the State Government’s State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP), which means Council is not the relevant assessing authority and therefore has limited influence in the outcome. Council encourages the community to submit their feedback to PlanSA,” Council said.
“The Minister for Planning approved the rezoning of the Buckingham Arms Hotel site – located at 1 Walkerville Terrace, Gilberton – in 2022. This resulted in the transition of the land from a Local Activity Centre Zone to an Urban Corridor (Living) Zone, which meant a greater opportunity for the development of a high-intensity, vibrant, mixed use corridor, with various housing choices and a range of complementary retail and commercial activities.”
On 25 November 2022, at the applicant’s request, the Minister for Planning “called in” the redevelopment application for the site, meaning the application bypassed Council and the SCAP was appointed as the relevant authority for assessment. Consequently, Council’s role is limited to that of a referral body.
The Council says it has been contacted by members of the local community with concerns over the plan at the site – located at 1 Walkerville Terrace, Gilberton.
“As such, at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Monday, 16 October 2023, Council directed Administration to engage a planning consultant to develop a submission on Council’s behalf to address the following items:
- impact on heritage;
- waste concerns;
- traffic concerns;
- stormwater management concerns; and
- reiterate Council’s position of a 4-5 storey height development.
“A public notification process was undertaken and allowed the community to provide feedback to the SCAP in relation to either granting or refusing planning consent. Any questions or concerns should be directed to PlanSA,” it said.
Consultation closed on Thursday, 26 October 2023. Since this time, the developer has considered community feedback and provided a response to PlanSA.
The State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) will be holding a public hearing to discuss the Buckingham Arms application at 9.30am on Wednesday, 6 March, on Level 9, 83 Pirie Street, Adelaide at the SCAP offices.
