Locus adds to Freo portfolio

Locus Development Group has bought a site adjacent to its existing land in Fremantle, with a view to expanding the footprint of its proposed residential development on the site.

Locus has purchased 30 to 32 Amherst Street in Fremantle from MercyCare for $3.52 million.

The acquisition of the 3,695 square metre vacant lot has taken Locus’ total landholding in the area, known as Knutsford Precinct, to 1.4 hectares.

Locus’ plans to build a 56-townhouse development on the adjacent lot, which it purchased for $10 million last year, was knocked back twice following community opposition.

At the project’s initial refusal in November last year, local resident and CHRISTOU Design Group associate Mark Zuvela said the proposal went against the local structure plan.

Opponents of the inital proposal said it did not incorpoate adequate green space, it had a high reliance on verge parking and did not align with solar passive design principles. 

Locus development director Damian Long said the company would resubmit plans to build on the site, with the extended footprint from the adjacent lot.

The new proposal, expected to be lodged to a Joint Development Assessment Panel later this year or early 2024, is set to include up to 80 dwellings, of townhouses and apartments.

Mr Long told Business News the revised proposal reflected feedback from the community.

“By buying an additional site it gave us an opportunity to accommodate more of the community’s suggestions,” he said.

“[We are now able to] include apartments and expand the green space.

“We have re-engaged with the community, listened to their feedback to incorporate in our plan going forward.

Mr Long added that Locus continued to receive strong enquiries from people wanting to live in the area.