Storey shift at White Sands

A syndicate led by Perth-based property developer Peter Hughes is close to finalising a purchase agreement for the White Sands Hotel site in Scarborough, after council approved the area’s only 12-storey development for the site.

The passing of zoning amendment 458 by the City of Stirling last week gave the long-awaited green-light to the proposed development, which had been previously shelved after an eight-story height limit was imposed on the area.

The site is the only one permitted to build to a maximum of 12 storeys.

Two other developments – at the BP service station and Scarborough Fair Markets/Contacio Bar sites on the corner of Scarborough Beach Road and West Coast Highway opposite Observation City – will be limited to eight storeys.

The exception was granted to the White Sands developers on the condition that a vehicular and pedestrian thoroughfare link to West Coast Highway, and a park on the Hast-ings Street end, would be built.

Mr Hughes, managing director of property investment firm API Hughes, is looking to add to his $250 million property portfolio, which includes commercial and retail properties as well as waterfront developments including the Dolphin Quay Marina Mandurah and Sorrento Quay Hillarys Boat Harbour.

Mr Hughes told WA Business News that, while he could not release details of the development plans, discussions with management had been “very positive” and he was happy with council’s decision.

“The result this week was very encouraging, to say the least,” he said.

Daglish-based Oldfield Knott will remain as the architects for the new development, which will include up to 160 one-, two- and three-bedroom home units, between 80 and 100 short-stay suite accommodation, between 2,000 and 2,500 square metres of potential commercial and up to 750sq m for retail.

Both the tavern and betting agency are expected to remain on the site.

Oldfield Knott principal Ian Oldfield said the business was awaiting final approval of the amendment from Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan before submitting a development application.

The amendment was passed following nine months of public consultation, with 66 per cent of the 1,600 submissions received by council in support of the changes.

Criticism of the amendment focused on the heights allowed near the beachfront, which were aligned with fears of Scarborough being transformed into a Gold Coast-style area dominated by high-rise buildings.

Supporters of the amendment, including a number of tourism and hospitality businesses in the area, say the amendment will revitalise the area into a vibrant seaside hub for both residents and tourist.

Scarborough Beach Asso-ciation secretary Paul Regan said his business and residential constituents had been pushing for the changes for almost 13 years.

Mr Regan, who is also the manager of the Scarborough Fair markets and sits on the board of the Sunset Coast Tourism Association, believes the amendment will bring a vibrancy to the area, and adds a degree of certainty for future planning decisions.

“There’s a new attitude of relief and certainty that things can be planned for and achieved,” he said.

Mr Regan said the rezoning would establish Scarborough and the ‘Sunset Coast’ region as a premier tourist destination, offering visitors more than just accommodation.

“At Scarborough, the overriding tourist reaction is one of gross disappointment. If you want to drink booze and swim, it’s great. But if you want to do anything else, its terrible,” he said.

“We want to brand the Sunset Coast as a recognisable tourism zone.”