COUNCIL has granted approval of an application submitted by Greg Rowe and Associates for an $8 million development in Beaufort Street, Perth.
The site is bordered by Beaufort, Roe, James and Stirling Streets and is commonly referred to as the ‘Canterbury Court’ site.
The site, currently in use as a temporary car park, will be transformed into a two-level building with a public car park in the basement level and a showroom on the ground level.
A large tree on the site will be removed to make way for the development.
The showroom will house a single tenancy with a floor area of about 8,496 square metres.
The car park will have 340 short-term public car parking bays.
Part of the original recommendations put forward by Council staff included the provision of a separate tenancy on the corner of James and Beaufort Street to house an eating house or shop.
Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass expressed concern that such a provision was included in the proposal by council staff.
We have got to be very careful when we put such demands on development, particularly when we are talking about multi-million dollar developments,” Dr Nattrass said.
Councillor Judy McEvoy agreed, saying she did not want to place unfair demands on a developer.
Councillor Jennifer MacGill said that, while the development was advisable because of the benefits it would bring to the city, she did not want a box with no street appeal.
She said it was important the appearance of the building was enhanced.
The site has a long history as a car park.
In 1957, the Council approved the development of a 550 vehicle multi-storey car park. In 1990 this was demolished.
In 1995, the Council approved the development of a 550 bay multi-storey long term car park on a portion of the site.
