Sam Barnett gets his extra floor for development on Cottesloe Beach

COTTESLOE Council has told developers led by Sam Barnett, son of former premier Colin, it wants more uses on the ground floor of the first proposed multi-storey development on Cottesloe Beach.

Mr Barnett and developers propose a six-storey apartment block that also features short-stay accommodation and other uses at the Sea Pines site, the corner John Street and Marine Parade.

However, the Cottesloe’s once-controversial town planning scheme allows for five storeys in 21m at the corner now occupied by a fish and chip shop.

At Tuesday nught’s meeting, councillors considered changing the scheme for an extra floor into the 21m, which a staff report said was supported by the WA Planning Commission in recent discussions.

“How do we fight smart? We ask for activation on the ground floor of 50 percent to a depth of 9m,” Cr Lorraine Young said at Tuesday’s meeting.

Councillors’ main concern was the development may not have enough street-level diversity, after Cr Sandra Boulter failed to have the request for fitting in the extra floor sent to residents for comment.

“I’ve seen many developers’ promises go to water as soon as hey have a scheme amendment,” Cr Boulter said.

She was also concerned the developers’ concept design would change in any development application going to a development assessment panel.

“It could be all hotel along the ground floor,” she said

Cr Young said part of her alternative recommendation accepted only amending the scheme and not the initial concept design.

The recommendation and six storeys within 21m was accepted, including that half the ground floor must be used for restaurants, shops and small bars.

“Don’t worry, it won’t just be burger joints and things like that,” Mr Barnett said, outside the meeting.

He said the design would conform with regulations and what was wanted by councillors at street level, including restaurants and a “couple of retail outlets”.