THE Bicton Uniting Church site in Palmyra could be redeveloped as a multipurpose facility including homes and a childcare centre.
Alan Stewart, a spokesman for the church, outlined what was possible while speaking in favour of a proposed local development plan (LDP) at a council briefing session earlier this month.
He said the current facility, which includes a church building and a hall, was “fairly outdated”.
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READ NOW“(Uniting Church) see this site as being quite suitable for redevelopment for a multi-purpose facility which would comprise predominantly church and hall uses as per the existing facilities,” he said.
“But they would also look to add some other support facilities – perhaps a childcare centre, maybe some consulting facilities, a possible shopfront and they would like to consider some residential development on the property.”
Among changes proposed in the LDP is for the existing plot ratio of 0.6 to be removed and for new building heights – up to six storeys in some sections.
“What this LDP is essentially trying to do is increase the building height towards the northern and eastern parts of the property, so away from the abutting residential area to the western side,” Mr Stewart said.
“We are looking for extra height at the northern end fronting Canning Highway but to compensate for that this LDP actually proposes lower heights adjacent to those southern and western boundaries.
“It’s a response to the particular characteristics of this site.”
Eight submissions were received by the City during the consultation period, including seven objections.
They centred on overshadowing, a loss of amenity and the impact on the resale value of nearby properties.
The recommendation put to councillors in a report by statutory planning manager Peter Prendergast was for the plan to be approved.
He said the height reductions would be in place near existing residential lots, with the bulk of development on the corner of Canning Highway and Carrington Street.
“The subject site is considered to be conducive to additional height considering its prominent corner location within close proximity to the Petra Street District Centre, and on a key transport corridor,” Mr Prendergast said.
The City will consider approving the LDP for the site at its meeting on Tuesday.
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