The $16 million, 10-storey proposal was assessed by a development panel today following its deferral in May.
A proposal for a 10-storey apartment complex in Nedlands has been approved, despite council opposition to the project.
RAD Architecture has lodged a $16 million application to build the 10-storey project at 1A Thomas Street on behalf of owners C&N Unit Trust.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission records show that Hong Mun Ngai and Yinlong Chen, of Harrisdale, are joint shareholders of Capital Way Pty Ltd, and own the 1,014 square metre site.
The proposal was initially approved in 2022, and at the time had nine storeys.
The developers lodged a revised submission to a development assessment panel this year, after approval lapsed.
In May, the proposal was deferred by the DAP, which cited concerns around its height and plot ratio, as well as the accessibility of a ramp at the building.
Today’s metro inner development assessment panel meeting followed a City of Nedlands recommendation to refuse the project, on the basis that its height, bulk and scale were excessive.
However, a local design review panel supported the project.
RAD Architecture managing director Sean van der Poel explained that the developer had resolved both reasons for deferral.
“To address [height and plot ratio] … the client has removed an entire storey from the building. This reduction in storeys has also reduced the proposed plot ratio of the development from 3.85 to 3.64,” he said.
“The second reason related to the proposed car park access to the development and its compliance with Australian standards. The revised ramp design is now fully compliant.”
Speaking against the proposal, City of Nedlands councillor Kerry Smyth vented her frustration at the lack of height limits in the area, following the state government’s gazettal of a planning scheme applying to the area.
The scheme, dubbed LPS 3, changes the zoning, land use, density codes and development standards of the area and is part of the governments’ push for greater density.
“The City of Nedlands has for many years now been confronted with this ongoing problem of uncapped height,” Ms Smyth said.
Frustrations at the planning system were also raised by local resident Ken Perry, who spoke out against the proposal.
In response to Mr Perry’s comments, deputy presiding member Clayton Higham told the DAP it was unhelpful to discuss the opinion that the planning system was broken at today's meeting.
“We need to focus on this proposal,” he said.
“It is an appropriate location for this sort of density. The plot ratio exceeds a number, but plot ratio has always been a poor planning measure for determining bulk and scale.
“It is a good design for this location.”
The proposal was approved three to one.
