THE WA government has asked for a two-year extension to replace the Homeswest units it demolished on Burt Street more than a decade ago.

Although the Department of Communities and its development partner Element got JDAP approval in December 2021 for a five-building complex with a range of apartments, restaurants and art spaces, in late December it submitted an amended application.

Apart from some minor modification to the original plans Element says won’t change the overall footprint, such as adding three apartments through “floor plan efficiencies” and reducing its arts and performance spaces in preference for a “breakout space” for four proposed arts studios, the timeframe for construction has blown out.

“The development approve [sic] is due to lapse in April 2024,” the application says.

“Due to the scale and complexity of the partnership project, additional time is required to achieve substantial commencement.”

Another modification Element is seeking is to reduce the number of car bays for visitors and the commercial tenancies from 106 down to 62, while the height of three buildings would increase by around one metre if approved by the state JDAP.