Controversial high-rise development plans for Cottesloe Beach

There’s a David and Goliath battle brewing in Cottesloe, where residents are fighting against a high rise development, right on the beach.

The Seapines Property Group are working on plans for short-stay apartments and a hotel directly south of the Cottesloe Hotel.

Chairperson of the Cottesloe Residents and Ratepayers Association John Hammond said six storeys was too high because it would overshadow pine trees.

“It will overshadow the beach and it will spoil what is a one off suburb in Western Australia,” he said.

In 2014, the former state government enforced a new town planning scheme that allowed up to six storeys at Sea Pines in Cottesloe.

But the proposal is dividing the community.

“Residents don’t want to see a building that tall on that site, because I believe, and they believe it will spoil Cottesloe,” he said.