A FORMER school playground sprouting weeds could soon be home to multi-units aimed at what developers say is a growing market.
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Local builders Robert Rampton and Steve Jones want to build six singlestorey units on the northern edge of the old St Patrick’s Primary School site in Cartwright Square.
They will be pitched at an older age group.
If realised, it would be the first meaningful occupation of the site since the school closed (in favour of a merger) in the mid 1980s.
But the plan to build residential on a prime B3 commercial zone is sure to test planners. Housing is not allowed in the zone but developers are relying on a Local Environmental Plan (LEP) clause providing flexibility.
This allows a similar use to that within 50 metres of the zone boundary if it “provides a more logical and appropriate development of the site and is compatible with planning objectives.”
Consultants argue that as houses are nearby on Bourke St, the units satisfy this test.
The average 300 square metre units would stretch west from Cartwright Square and with a common area, occupying a total 3500 to 4000sqm.
Mr Rampton said he and Mr Jones decided to develop housing after failing to attract a commercial party over the past seven years’ ownership.
“We couldn’t get anyone in there,” he said.
“Big W looked at it, Target looked at it and so did others.
None of them liked it because it didn’t have Auburn St frontage. Some areas are good for commercial while others aren’t.”
He pointed out that previous owner Munro Corporation tried to build a $30 million retail development on the site, but “went broke.”
Council granted the company approval in May 2008 for a two-storey retail and commercial centre, incorporating a supermarket, specialty shops and offices. An underground car park and restoration and conversion of the former hall for community and commercial purposes were also planned.
The project did not proceed due to bankruptcy proceedings against Munro and a joint venture partner subsequently sold the land to Mr Rampton and Mr Jones.
Despite the history, council planners still need to be convinced.
Planning director Chris Stewart said from a strategic viewpoint, the proposal didn’t “fit well” with the LEP.
“It is meant to be a retail and commercial precinct and obviously we have a Greenfield site for residential at Marys Mount, plus other infill opportunities within the city, so from a strategic point of view it is not ideal,” Mr Stewart said.
But he acknowledged the applicant’s argument about the 50-metre rule, allowing housing near the boundary, would “stand up in court.”
“We can’t ignore the planning laws if it is permissible and we need to be consistent,” Mr Stewart said.
The council received five public submissions about the proposal. The DA could be decided before Christmas, he told the Post.
Heritage matters
Heritage will also weigh on planners’ mind. Mr Rampton said he wanted to build units sympathetic to the historic precinct. While materials are yet to be decided, he envisioned sandstock brick construction and an attractive landscaped common area. It would be accessed via a new driveway off Cartwright Square, with a connecting pedestrian path through to Bourke St.
An old toilet block would be demolished and some pine trees on the northern boundary cleared.
“It will beautify the area,” Mr Rampton said.
“At the moment it’s overgrown with weeds and pine trees and I think this will be an asset. People can buy a quality home in a quality area and be close to the CBD.”
Based on personal approaches, he believed there was strong demand for this type of accommodation, particularly from older people who wanted to be close to services.
Pending council approval, he hoped to complete the units by this time next year.
St Patrick’s Primary School was built in 1914 and by 1948 had 230 boys enrolled, according to a heritage report.
The St Patrick’s Technical School, fronting Bourke St, was constructed in 1938.
Today it is occupied by Senator Ursula Stephens and Fife Financial Planning and also owned by Mr Rampton and Mr Jones.
Mr Rampton said he had no concerns about leasing Senator Ursula Stephens’ office when her term expired next June.
“It has a very nice fit out, thanks to the Labor party,” he said.
Mr Rampton told the Post the partners had no firm plans for the rest of the site, comprising 1500sqm, also zoned B3 commercial.
The Catholic Church still owns a portion fronting Verner St, along with the old St Pat’s Hall.
![LEASE OF LIFE: A portion of land on the northern boundary of the former St Patrick’s Primary School site in Cartwright Square will house six residential units if developers gain Council approval. Pine trees and an old toilet block are proposed to be demolished to make way for the project. LEASE OF LIFE: A portion of land on the northern boundary of the former St Patrick’s Primary School site in Cartwright Square will house six residential units if developers gain Council approval. Pine trees and an old toilet block are proposed to be demolished to make way for the project.](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-GaYa9c7QuNtLLX2kQCbPqP/35f90eed-523a-4a54-822f-bf0ce24ffcc3.JPG/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)