Rose Manor for sale amid Peppermint Grove rezoning that could push units into Perth’s most prestigious suburb

It may be tough for the western suburbs set to envisage but Peppermint Grove’s Rose Manor could one day be carved up and replaced by a dozen units. The Johnston Street mansion is on the market after State planners and Planning Minister John Carey pushed the Shire of Peppermint Grove to advertise a huge rezoning uptick for the site and the empty block next door. Rose Manor and the adjacent vacant land are directly across from Cottesloe Primary School and such a location in any other suburb would be an obvious target for high-density redevelopment. The two blocks together comprise 1503sqm and the Minister’s direction for R80 zoning — double what was being asked for and more than five times what it currently is — could pave the way for about 12 units. Astonishingly, the Rowe Group — acting on behalf of the site owners — had asked only for R40 coding, which the Shire of Peppermint Grove had supported. However, Mr Carey then took a recommendation from State planners and the WA Planning Commission and decreed the change be readvertised with R80 zoning, which provides for an average site area of 120sqm per dwelling and minimum of 100sqm. More blocks generally means more money for developers and the chance to build units in Peppermint Grove would present a change for the prestigious suburb. The shire remains opposed to the R80 zoning idea even though it owns the affected vacant land and accepts the higher coding would increase the site’s market value. Local consultation that finished in December drew four responses, all against R80 and supporting the shire’s position that R40 was more appropriate and in line with proper and orderly planning. But in a written report to its council, shire officers said the council’s stance was unlikely to change the position of the Minister, who has the final say. “Anecdotally, the Minister’s direction to readvertise at a higher R80 coding is unlikely to be varied subsequent to the consultation process,” their report said. “Notwithstanding, there has been no compelling case put to the shire to justify the higher coding.” Neighbours and the nearby Mosman Park town council are also against the R80 change, due to the stark difference and planning conflict it would create for six large adjoining properties that are zoned R15. The Rose Manor house, at 12 Johnston Street, is being advertised for sale through Mack Hall Real Estate. Set on 751sqm, the 2009-built double-storey home is opulent inside and out, with a rose-lined winding path to the front door.