THE Guildford IGA development has been approved by MODAP despite opposition from the Swan council earlier in April.

The Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel (MODAP) granted conditional approval for the proposed IGA on April 24, clearing the way for a new shop and modifications to the heritage-listed Barker’s Store on Swan Street.

A motion raised by Swan councillor Jennifer Catalano to refuse the development failed to gain support at the MODAP, enabling the approval to proceed with conditions including heritage considerations and time-limited parking.

The decision follows a 12–3 vote by City of Swan councillors on April 9 to formally oppose the project.

Cr Rod Henderson, who was at the MODAP meeting regarding the item, voted against deputy mayor Ian Johnson’s motion to refuse the approval during the April 9 meeting and didn’t second Cr Catalano’s motion to refuse the approval at the MODAP.

As previously reported in Guildford IGA proposal under scrutiny, the development drew community submissions and concerns about the shortfall of 33 car bays, the choice of brick colour, and its potential impact on Meadow Street’s intact heritage character.

Cr Johnson said during the April meeting the development would worsen congestion at the nearby roundabouts and degrade the town’s historic core.

“It is irrefutable that the performance of the roundabout will become increasingly worse,” he said.

Cr Cate McCullough supported the refusal, warning the design would disrupt the visual relationship between Barker’s Store and the old courthouse.

“When the site had all of its original buildings the entire collection would have been an important precinct,” she said.

“Now the two survivors speak to each other from across the road and they do it well but not when this new addition is built – it will obscure the eastern part of Barker’s Mill.

“There’s such thing in heritage areas across the world as heritage destruction by stealth.

“The angled projecting portion of the new IGA will block out half the Barker store when viewed from outside the old courthouse.”

Cr Henderson said the proposal was a reasonable commercial use for the site.

“If people can’t find parking, they’ll go elsewhere,” he said.

“These are commercial impact matters.”

MODAP heard the IGA would have six aisles and three checkouts, aiming to  accommodate short shopping visits.

State planning officers noted the building had been redesigned to reduce height, respond to heritage and traffic constraints.

The developer indicated a willingness to modify brick colour, and the approval includes conditions on parking limits and compliance with local heritage standards.