A controversial proposal for a 24-hour petrol station in Heathfield has been approved by the Environment, Resources and Development Court, overturning a previous decision from the Adelaide Hills Council Assessment Panel decision.
The proposed OTR fuel outlet at 160 Longwood Road was originally refused by council’s assessment panel in 2023, with the development found to be “seriously at variance” with the Planning and Design Code.
The applicant, PC Infrastructure, appealed the decision and later submitted amended plans aimed at reducing the impact on surrounding properties and the local area.
The amended proposal was considered by the Environment, Resources and Development Court, with Senior Judge Michael Durrant and Commissioner Damian Dawson ruling the development should be approved.
The court found the updated plans would provide an additional service for the community without creating unreasonable impacts on amenity, traffic, noise, local character or safety.
The court also ruled the petrol station would be allowed to operate 24 hours a day, despite PC Infrastructure previously offering to accept restricted operating hours of 6am to 10pm if required.
The approved plans differ from the original proposal, with several changes made during the appeal process.
These include removing the proposed automatic car wash, dog wash, car wash bays and vacuum bays, changing the fuel canopy design, reducing acoustic fencing, reducing vehicle access points from Scott Creek Road and lowering the height of the pylon sign to five metres.
The court also required the removal of one car parking space due to concerns about access from Scott Creek Road.
The decision marks the latest chapter in a long-running debate over the site, which was previously home to Heathfield Motors from 1949 until 2008.
The property later operated as Dutton Subaru before returning to the Heathfield Motors name, with PC Infrastructure purchasing the site in 2021.
The original OTR proposal attracted significant community opposition, with more than 200 people attending a protest at Heathfield Oval in 2022 and a petition against the development receiving more than 3600 signatures.
The Adelaide Hills Council is now reviewing the court’s decision and considering its future options.
