Guildford Hotel apartment plan hits hurdle
Plans for an apartment block up to 25m high behind the Guildford Hotel have hit a hurdle after Swan Council voted to cap it at two storeys high.
Fire crews mop-up the smouldering Guildford Hotel after a fire in 2008.
(Picture: Steve Ferrier/The West Australian)
A report to last night's council meeting acknowledged concerns about the height of the proposed complex but found the greater risk to the area was that the restoration of the hotel did not go ahead. Council disagreed, voting to amend its planning scheme to allow only up to two storeys at the rear of the hotel.
The decision is not necessarily a death blow for the plan because the final decision rests with the WA Planning Commission and Planning Minister John Day - council's vote amounts to a recommendation.
Co-owner Luke Martino, who was at last night's council meeting, has argued it was only financially viable to restore and reopen the heritage-listed hotel with the related residential development at the size that was proposed.
The hotel was gutted by a fire in 2008 and has been an eyesore for years.
Restoration work has started and Melbourne-based The Publican Group, which has agreed to lease it, hope to open in November. It is unclear whether last night's council decision could affect that timing.
Plans unveiled late last year for the residential component included scope for ground floor retail and a cobblestoned piazza that could host markets at weekends.
Close to 100 people were believed to be at last night's council meeting, which saw multiple residents speak against the plan. Some in the community are concerned the proposed 25m height would be out of character with the Guildford area and set a precedent for future developments.
Mr Martino said he was disappointed by the council's decision. He said the owners would now have to consider whether to stop restoration work.
That decision is expected to made in the next 3-6 weeks.
"What we are doing now is deciding whether we put it (the hotel) on hold," he said.
He said if the financials did not stack up there was a risk the hotel could "sit there for another five years unfortunately".
"It would have been sensational. It's an emotive thing and I understand that," he said.
"The emotion thing I can understand. The thing has gone on far too long."
Source: The West Australian, Kate Emery, June 25th 2015
