Canning residents have used terms including “disgusting” and “greed” in response to last week’s announcement that more than 100 new homes would be built on the former Kinlock Primary School site in Ferndale.
On March 13 Minister for Housing Peter Tinley and Member for Cannington Bill Johnston announced the 41,000 square metre area would be converted into the site for the project, with homes designed first home buyers, families and downsizers.
Ferndale Residents Association president Margaret Adams said her main hope was for a parkland area in the new development.
“The problem with infill is suddenly residents are confronted with cars, lights, noise,” she said.
“I would like to see the public open space as a buffer – that’s our concern.”
However, speaking on Facebook Kandace Jenkins said she believed the proposal would be unpopular in the area.
“It’s going to look disgusting,” she said.
“Lots of tiny blocks all squished together.
“Ferndale residents don’t wnt [sic] this development to go ahead.”
Language in statement from Mr Tinley’s office implied block sizes would be small, using terms such as “affordable” and “right-size”.
Department of Communities Acting Assistant Director General of Commercial Operations for housing Nigel Hindmarsh said the 100 dwelling figure was an estimate and an exact number would be determined at a later date.
He also said public open spaces would be integrated into the development, and significant trees on the lots would be retained.
If the site’s current zoning code is maintained for the development, the developer could potentially build homes on sites as small as 260 square metres.
