South Perth council greenlight’s development of new Neil McDougall Park outbuilding

A small outbuilding that would be leased to a local arts and crafts group could soon be built at a popular South Perth park.

The City of South Perth council last week unanimously approved an application to build an 8m-long outhouse at Neil McDougall Park.

The building would be built on the Clydesdale Street side of the park, near the Neil McDougall Farmhouse and Hazel McDougall House, and would be leased to local not-for-profit organisation South Perth Society of Arts and Crafts.

The society currently uses Hazel McDougall House.

Used as part of the McDougall dairy farm 110 years ago, Neil McDougall Park is classified as a Category B heritage-listed site.

“It is considered that the scale and location of the proposed structure will not detract from the character of the heritage place and ensures the retention of existing trees,” a staff report reads.

“The proposed outbuilding will be located behind existing buildings and trees and will therefore have no impact on the cultural significance of the existing heritage building.”

Last October the applicant — Action Sheds Australia — sought approval for the outbuilding to be located south of Hazel McDougall House but was knocked back after it was found to have been “highly visible” from the street, obstructing views of the heritage building.