Nine-storey downsizers apartment tower approved despite objections
LONDON: An upscale nine storey downsizers apartment tower has been approved despite the vehement opposition of levellers.
In the battle of old versus new in Nedlands, it was the future that prevailed.
Capital Way’s proposed “attractive” nine-storey apartment complex got the go-ahead last week from the Joint Development Assessment Panel.
The approval marks a decisive win for infill in the staunchly anti-development western Perth city and is set to be the first tower since the area — one block away from Stirling Highway — was rezoned in 2019 to allow high-rise.
Construction will require the demolition of a three-bedroom house, typical of the Nedlands streetscape, which was opposed by local councillors.
The JDAP voted 3-2 to approve, with the three independent members outvoting the two council representatives.
The plans also include two basement levels for 55 car bays and a rooftop communal space with a sauna and yoga room, barbecues and a karaoke room.
The white marble facade and ample greenery have been designed by RAD Architecture to reflect the leafy streets and white picket fences common in Nedlands.
JDAP presiding member Lee O’Donohue said Nedlands was “in transition.”
“This is located very close to Stirling Highway and close to the town centre, which are two positive elements that support this type of development,” Ms O’Donohue said.
“This is a very nicely designed building. There is always going to be a problem when you have these newly upcoded areas, with trying to juggle the future with the existing.”
Ms O’Donohue praised the developers for putting “a lot of effort put into producing a building that is very attractive, well-articulated and makes best use of the site”.
She said she was comfortable with the street setbacks and described the increase in plot ratio as “relatively minor”.
Arguing for the apartments to be refused,Cr Blane Brackenridge said the developers had tried to “fit too much in” and claimed the apartments don’t “respond to street context”.
Cr Brackenridge said the lower levels were “too industrial for its location, which is dominated by single-storey residential housing”.
Cr Fergus Bennett said the two basement levels demonstrated that the number of apartments were an “overdevelopment of the site” and said the developer should have amalgamated more blocks if they wanted to build 27 units.
RAD Architecture director Sean van der Poel said the site had no height restrictions and said landscaping would create a “green streetscape” throughout the building.
“RAD Architecture and the rest of the project team has worked tirelessly to ensure that this development meets and exceeds the (relevant) principal development objectives,” Mr Poel said.
