Perth Voice Interactive

FIERCE opposition from neighbours has resulted in the withdrawal of an application to knock down a 1940s cottage on Bayswater’s Kennedy Street and replace it with a two-storey building.

Locals were up in arms about a nine-unit complex planned for their quiet street and submitted a 92-signature protest petition.

The site is flanked by homes built between 1912 and 1936.

Lead petitioner Brian Clohesy—who lives across the road—says high-density is inappropriate for the harmonious cul-de-sac.

“We were concerned about increased traffic, parking congestion and the demolition of a 1940s house which has heritage value,” he says.

“We all thought this area was zoned R40 and had no idea the Barnett government bundled through R60 zoning in the metro area last year.

“This stealthy plan was designed to infill along main routes and train lines, but now it’s even affecting quiet suburban streets.”

Mount Lawley Society president Bruce Wooldridge says the home, which falls just inside the Bayswater council boundary, would receive better protection if it was in Stirling.

“Under Stirling’s heritage protection area regime, properties built before 1960 have effective protection from demolition,” he says.

“It would be very unlikely that this property would be in jeopardy if it was in Menora or Inglewood, in Stirling’s [heritage protection area].

“Bayswater’s heritage protection policies sadly are only effective for a handful of properties, with wording that does not encourage the retention of heritage properties in development applications.”

Last month Bayswater council approved the demolition of two similar era houses on Guildford Road.

Stung by criticism it is not heritage friendly, the council has since voted to introduce guidelines for its section of Mt Lawley as watertight as Stirling’s long-standing policy.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK