Middleton gets planning approval

After a decade sitting empty, work will soon begin on the redevelopment of the former Middleton Beach Esplanade Hotel and surrounding land this year.

The Middleton Beach redevelopment was given final approval by Planning Minister Donna Faragher last week when she passed the scheme amendment for the redevelopment, which includes provisions for a hotel, up to 12-storeys high and surrounding developments.

It is expected work could begin on site as soon as April.

Although there is still much to be done Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said it was a significant step forward.

“There is a lot of negotiation to go on but we are a lot further down the track than we used to be,” he said.

“The fact is this is the closest you’re ever going to get to the water in WA, at this hotel site.

“Just keep watching this space and we will keep pushing this ahead, hopefully the sooner the better.”

It is expected the road realignment of Adelaide Crescent, Marine Terrace and Flinders Parade will be the first step of construction, pending the approval of LandCorp’s subdivision application to the WA Planning Commission.

“As soon as (the land) can be subdivided essentially it is on the market so we can started negotiating with the people who are interested,” Mr Wellington said. The hotel proposal has drawn some criticism but Ms Faragher imposed a 12-storey height maximum on any development and a five-storey maximum facing Middleton Beach to ease concerns. Also, the permanent residential development on the site will only be permitted after or in conjunction with the development of a hotel.