PLANS to build a pub across the road from a primary school have St Patrick’s Catholic Church up in arms.
Church member Steve Boni, who’s handling the parish’s submissions to Fremantle council, says a 450-seat micro-brewery proposed for the old energy museum on Parry Street is too close to local primary and high schools and the basilica’s various religious services.
He notes St Pat’s community care service — with many clients struggling with alcohol abuse — is even closer.
“Our significant concern is the potential of a 450-patron bar going there and the noise and anti-social behaviour when church services are held on the weekends,” Mr Boni told the Herald.
“The basilica is also used for funerals, weddings and other functions and that’s just not appropriate.”
He’s ropeable with the council’s consultation: by the time St Patrick’s was informed, council planning staff told him they were ready to recommend approval.
“What sort of consultation is that,” he asks.
The multi-million dollar development, proposed by Match, will be decided not by council but by the state-controlled development assessment panel.
Match will keep most of the exterior, except for a small portion of the roof and some rear walls.
A building at the back will be demolished to make way for 40 dwellings that will come pretty close to five storeys.
Local planning rules permit buildings as high as 15 metres but Match has negotiated a recommendation for 18 metres.
Mr Boni, a developer himself, is concerned the council is being too generous to Match and feels for residents living behind the block.
One of those is High Street bootmaker Robert Bodkin, and he’s livid: “Shame, shame,” he emailed councillors last week.
He says the proposal will swamp the precinct’s nine historic houses and is gob-smacked Match wants to build right up to the boundary.
He notes he’d been ordered to set back a small shed on his property because of rules to keep neighbours happy: “a consideration you have not demanded for 3 Quarry Street,” he told councillors.
by STEVE GRANT
