Two apartment buildings almost 20 storeys tall are set to be built opposite the West Leederville train station bringing 244 new residential spaces to the area.

The Finbar development, which had a price tag of just under $100 million, was approved unanimously by the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel on Thursday.

The development is planned for a 5000sqm site in the Rosslyn Quarter at 236 Railway Parade, which was the former headquarters of the controversial Catholic lay organisation Bethel Covenant Community.

The location is wedged between commercial and grouped dwellings and single houses.

The $94.2 million development will see two buildings stand at 18 and 19 storeys tall and comprise a mix of three studios, 117 one-bedroom, 94 two-bedroom and 30 three-bedroom apartments.

Town of Cambridge mayor and panel member Gary Mack said the mix of apartments was surprising to see in the area.

“It’s going to provide necessary housing, and there’s a mix of housing, three-bedroom apartments, it’s not all two bedrooms, which is really pleasing to see because families will move into these areas, if they’re big enough,” Mack said.

“That’s the main inhibiting reason. They won’t move in if it’s all two bedrooms. So then the urban sprawl continues.”

The towers will be built above a five-storey shared podium with two ground-floor commercial tenancies anticipated to be used as food and beverage.

The 18-storey southern tower will face Railway Parade and the northern 19-storey tower will be located 32 metres away at the rear of the site.

Communal facilities will be on the second floor of the podium and include a swimming pool and deck, indoor and outdoor gymnasium, lounge, games room, cabana, barbecue facilities, community garden, edible orchard and dog-exercise area.

The rooftops of each tower will also have a landscaped communal terrace.

Parking will comprise 280 resident bays and more than double the required motorbike, scooter and bike spaces.

The public consultation for the development received 18 submissions. Three were in support, eight objecting in whole or in part and seven providing comments or requesting conditions without stating a clear overall position.

The DAP report said the development would “comprehensively redevelop a strategically located site directly opposite West Leederville Train Station”.

However, it is subject to at least 55 conditions, including that it must be “substantially commenced” within four years of the approval being granted.

Deputy presiding member Dale Page gave her support to the proposal which she said brought “well-designed and much needed residential accommodation” to the area.

“We don’t often see that diversity and apartment size in a station precinct and close to shopping and other supporting services for residents,” Page said.

“This site could be developed with a much larger and bulkier 18-storey form that would have significantly more impact on the neighbours and the streetscape. But instead, the form is elegant with good separation distances between the taller elements which reduces its visual impact.

“In situations like this, I’m not of the view that the applicant is getting more than they should. They’re actually pitching for less overall, and they’re creating an outcome which is superior from a design and impact perspective.”

Fellow DAP member Eugene Koltasz also agreed the development was a “good design”.

“I commend them for not undertaking a monolithic development and rather creating two towers which provide separation light ventilation etcetera to the development and the occupants,” he said.

“All in all, I think it’s a great development.

“Perfect for the location, and I’m fully supportive of it.”