Residents reject Sacred Heart's grand plan for War Memorial Oval redevelopment Sacred Heart College's Ben Syrus trains at the school's main oval ahead of the upcoming Bay Sheffield. The school is hoping to redevelop its War Memorial Oval. A 5m-high, 60-seat grandstand has torpedoed Sacred Heart College's $8 million redevelopment plans. Holdfast Bay Council's five-person Development Assessment Panel has unanimously rejected the Somerton Park college's plan for an overhaul of War Memorial Oval. The plans were opposed by residents who live adjacent to the oval precinct, bounded by Slade, Cudmore, Scarborough and Whyte streets. The residents say the viewing platform slated for the school's western boundary would obscure views of the oval and a stand of ficus trees. Do you think residents are being unreasonable? Sacred Heart principal Steve Byrne said the school now needed to "consider its position." "We have compromised significantly throughout the reflective process," Mr Byrne said. The proposal also included demolishing existing buildings in the northern corner of the oval precinct to be replaced with multi-purpose building would include a 1000-seat assembly hall, classrooms, a gymnasium, change rooms and a function centre. Mr Byrne said the school was considering whether to appeal the decision in the Environment, Resources and Development Court, or go back to the drawing board and submit a modified plan. We'd like to work in harmony with the community but it is disappointing these efforts haven't worked. He said the school was frustrated the panel had rejected the plan after Sacred Heart had already reduced the grandstand's scale, height, location and halved the number of seats. It was located at the mid-point of the western side of the oval because of our weather, just as most viewing areas are sited on the western boundary of an oval, because of the angle of the sun - it's Adelaide. Mr Byrne said the oval's redevelopment was vital for the school's 1000 students. This will provide a 21st century sporting facility for a school with a proud sporting history. The council's senior planner had recommended the plans be approved. Traffic congestion, hours of operation and setbacks were among reasons cited by the panel for its decision, along with the resident's concerns. Slade St resident Frank Cole, who was one of a group who opposed the plans, declined to comment.