Perth Voice Interactive

Another company is planning to take a crack at redeveloping the old Pacific Motel site in Highgate.

The abandoned motel, now demolished, was a magnet for graffiti and vagrants for years, but the state government’s development assessment panel this week approved a five-storey, 66-unit project for the site.

Locals were concerned the building would overshadow nearby neighbours including the old Progressive Spiritualists church.

Vincent’s planning rules allow up to three storeys plus a loft. An extra storey was granted for “exemplary design,” and the applicant’s representative Ben Doyle argued for the loft to be turned into a fully-fledged fifth storey.

DAP members Megan Bartle and Clayton Higham agreed, along with the council’s representative Alannah MacTiernan.

“Transitional areas are always difficult ones to deal with, but I think on balance this is a good design response to this type of site, given the neighbours it has,” Mr Higham said.

“The building has more bulk that it should have,” Ms MacTiernan conceded, but added “there’ve been many proposals on this site, many of them not very good, and I think we’ve finally got something on the site of very high quality”.

Only Cr Dudley Maier lodged a no-vote, saying the height limits should be adhered to.

Church-goer Ann Brown said she only received a letter about the DAP meeting the night before. The letter said she had to apply 72 hours before the meeting to give a deputation (which was impossible given the time she received it).

With such short notice, Ms Brown said the church was unable to organise a representative with the right expertise to come along.

Ms Bartle, who chaired the meeting, apologised for the stuff-up but said the DAP was aware of the church’s previous submission.

“We’ll take that on board and try to improve that process,” Ms Bartle said. “I appreciate that doesn’t help you today.”

The site has had planning approval on two previous occasions (for three- and four-storey options) with the last bid scuttled when the global financial crisis hit.

by DAVID BELL

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