News - 3 July 2010 - Council refuses neighbour demolition
The Shire of Peppermint Grove has refused a demolition permit for a house just down the road from the Cliffe.
In his application the owner said that demolition had been approved for the Cliffe.
Does Council's most recent decision represent a change of attitude towards heritage?
The POST Newspapers 3 July 2010
The Cliffe features in demolition dispute
BY KERRY FAULKNER
The owner of a century-old riverfront home says Peppermint Grove’s approval to demolish The Cliffe sets a precedent supporting his demolition bid.
Terry Walsh wants a licence to knock down his 1910 Federation Queen Anne-style home at 12 The Esplanade, one of the oldest on the street.
The move was prompted by the shire council’s approval of a large new home on the vacant site next door, which Mr Walsh says will shade his main living areas.
Mr Walsh said this devalued his house, and he wanted to put the home on the market with the demolition approval in place to maximise the value of the 1680sq.m block.
Richard Offen, director of the independent group Heritage Perth, said the shire would be right to refuse to allow demolition.
He said: “Lists are there to provide statutory guidance in making decisions.
“This home is at a high level on the local inventory and the council would be right to refuse its demolition.
“It’s bit strange to ask for a demolition licence to increase the value of the home to sell it.
“Why not leave that for the new owner to decide?” Mr Offen said heritage homes were selling at a premium.
“There’s evidence that shows a home in Mt Lawley that is heritage listed is selling for $35,000 more than a similar non-listed home,” he said.
“There’s a lot of fallacy in asserting that having a heritage listing devalues a home – it doesn’t, and it shouldn’t.”
The council has decided to get the home’s heritage value assessed, partly because of its prominence on one of the suburb’s premier streets (POST, 19/6).
The council also disputes the claim that Mr Walsh’s home has been devalued because the house next door, while approved, has not yet been built.
In a report to the council, the Walshes argue that a demolition licence has been granted for The Cliffe. This house was built in 1894 and was formerly on the State Register of Heritage Places.
It has been embroiled in controversy since it was placed on the register in 1995.
The Cliffe was removed from the list by a motion in Parliament by Colin Barnett before he became premier.
Demolition approval had been granted on the grounds that the shire recognised that retaining heritage homes might have significant economic consequences, and it accepted the owner’s prerogative to demolish.
Mr Offen said the shire demolition licence for the The Cliffe set a precedent that should not be followed.
“It was the thin end of the wedge and makes a mockery of having lists at all,” he said.
