TWO local heritage-listed houses in Torrensville are at risk of being demolished to make way for a carpark.

An application was lodged with West Torrens Council to bulldoze the two Huntriss St homes and create extra car parking for the neighbouring doctors surgery.

Huntriss St resident Sam Virgara said many people on the street wanted the houses to stay. “They are really nice character homes that just need some TLC, the whole street is spewing about it,” Mr Virgara said.

“It’s not going to be good for our street or the area, it will ruin the streetscape.”

Another Huntriss St resident, who did not want to be named, said she wanted the houses restored. “It is a beautiful house, we love it,” she said. “If it disappears you will never get it back again.”

The vacant houses, which date back to the early 1900s, have been owned by local doctor Peter Chia for about three years.

Dr Chia said the houses were too run-down to restore. “It is not economical to restore them,” he said.

“We are expanding the practice and need more parking.”

He said he would apply to replace the buildings with new houses instead if the car park application was refused.

Thebarton Historical Society president Kevin Kaeding said the group wanted the buildings restored.

“So much of our heritage and character is being lost and it is irreplaceable.”

National Trust SA president David Beaumont said he would not support the demolition. “We are very opposed to any demolition of heritage-listed buildings, especially for a carpark,” he said.

West Torrens Council’s development assessment panel will consider the application at its April 12 meeting.