Green light for Scarborough projects

Two proposals for multi-storey developments along West Coast Highway, including Woolworths' $120 million mixed-use project, have received the tick of approval. 

The Scarborough Land Redevelopment Committee considered the two developments at a recent meeting, voting to approve the proposal for a $9 million, eight-storey hotel, named Cotel Scarborough, at 176 West Coast Highway.

Due to the larger scale of Woolworths’ plans, under planning provisions the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority board will determine whether it gets the go ahead, with the SLRC recommending the MRA approve the project when it meets in the coming week. 

Woolworths Group’s plans to redevelop the White Sands Tavern site has been on the cards for several years, with the group sent back to the drawing board, scrapping a third tower and an aged care component from its earlier plans.

The final iteration comprises two towers, of 29 and 12 storeys, with an integrated three-storey podium and two-level basement.

Woolworths hopes to develop a 9,010 square metre shopping complex on the lower levels, with 302 residential apartments and associated amenities spanning levels three to 28.

The complex will additionally feature 317 non-residential car bays, as well as 354 residential car bays (allocated to apartments).

Woolworths Group's proposal for Scarborough. Image: SLRC

During the consultation process of the 178 public submissions 71 per cent were against the proposal (127 objections), with density flagged as one of the key concerns.

“It is considered that the 29- and 12-storey development represents a lower development intensity than the maximum development potential under the Design Guidelines,” the meeting agenda stated.

“The proposal offers a meaningful and high-quality design solution for the site that minimises impacts on surrounding properties and provides a mix of services to the community.

“Further, the proposal supports the achievement of a critical mass of population and employment in the area and offers benefits to the local area informed by a robust community engagement process.”

Although the Cotel Scarborough project was previously recommended for refusal, largely due to insufficient provision of car parking, the SLRC voted to approve the project.

The development application was lodged by Planning Solutions on behalf of Urban Collective, with plans for 35-hostel style rooms, featuring 164 beds as well as a restaurant, cafe, co-working and games space, with a podium roof spa and terrace amenities.   

DevelopmentWA received four submissions from adjoining and nearby landowners, none of which supported the project.

In making its decision to approve Cotel Scarborough, the SLRA said the key issue concerning the development application was the discretion being sought to provide less car parking than the minimum requirements identified under the Scarborough Design Guidelines: the project proposes 10 car parking bays, instead of the required 25 bays.

“[T]he committee determined the development application was capable of being approved subject to conditions and advice notes,” the SLRC said.

“In arriving at this decision, the SLRC determined the development would provide a valuable addition to the diversity of accommodation in the area, the building presented a high-quality design outcome on a challenging site, and there was scope to provide alternative modes of transportation suitable for the proposed land uses, which could offset the limited provision of onsite car parking bays.

“The conditions and advice notes require the applicant to provide access to a diverse range of transportation options to demonstrate that the shortfall in car parking will not adversely impact the broader area.”