ONLY a nod from a Government-appointed development assessment panel now stands between Scotch College and its proposed new $16.5m business and maths block on Shenton Road, Claremont.
“We need it because it’s linked to our teaching and learning principles of providing modern facilities,” headmaster Alec O’Connell said.
Last Tuesday, Claremont Council gave its approval for the three storey, 15-classroom block on the north side of the college’s chapel oval, near a drop-off driveway.
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READ NOWHowever, the council does not have the final say on the new block because the proposal is worth more than $10m, and it has to be considered by the DAP after the town sends its responsible authority report (RAR).
Mr O’Connell said construction of the new block could also allow demolition of a 100-year-old addition to a building on the west side of the college’s campus, and opening up that area for a quadrangle,.
The 14 car bays in a drop-off driveway near the oval would be replaced by 15 on the college’s campus on the north side of Shenton Road.
After six public submissions were received from 70 neighbours of the college, the council’s concerns included whether an audit of the area’s traffic management plan had included the new block, glare from north-facing windows, landscaping, height and building bulk.
A staff report said the bulk and height was less than the nearby Memorial Hall and canteen, both of which were set back less from the street.
Cr Peter Brown was concerned the building to be potentially demolished was heritage listed, but staff said that proposal would have to be considered in a separate application
It was decided conditions in the council’s RAR would include the block’s windows being non-reflective, a landscaping plan be submitted, students continue to be limited to 1786 and staff to 273 across the college.
The council will request the DAP consider original architecture is reinstated at the nearby 1905 building after its 1912 extension are demolished, and a conservation plan created for any remains of a 1907 gym that was on the oval.
If approved, work on the new block is planned to start in the second half of this year for completion about October 2019.
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