The project will transform a long-abandoned primary school site and adaptively re-use a historic building.

Planners have recommended conditional approval for the development at the former St Patrick's Primary School site at 57 Verner St.

Local developer Robert Rampton wants to build a 39-room motel, function centre and seven residential units on the old playground.

He's also aiming to restore the old St Pat's hall, constructed between 1913 and 1915.

Over the past year or more the well-known builder and his company have cleared out "truckloads" of pigeon droppings from the structure's upper storey.

Workers have also stabilised the building and tiled the roof with specially imported tiles to match the original.

Architect Tim Lee said cast iron rails had also been restored and extended to the nearby former St Pat's Technical School.

If the council grants approval, the old hall will become the motel reception area and breakfast room.

"The main thing about this development is that it will reactivate the site," Mr Lee said.

Mr Rampton could not be reached for comment, but he has previously told the Post there was a market for more motel and residential accommodation close to the CBD.

"It will have a nice frontage that's sympathetic to the Cathedral and the precinct. We want it to fit in," he said at the time.

Mr Rampton and his partners bought the site from the Catholic Church in 2013. At one time they hoped to attract a supermarket.

The current DA has been before the council for eight months, awaiting more information.

Their earlier application, in 2013/14, for seniors living accommodation was withdrawn after planners deemed it impermissable in the B3 commercial core zone.

At the time, rival developers also objected to residential development in the zone.

While it's not generally permitted, a clause in planning laws allows housing where it enhances a heritage item.

Mr Lee said the council's December, 2014 approval of the nearby former Marian College site's redevelopment had set the precedent.

Planners agreed in their report to tomorrow night's meeting.

"Council's heritage advisor recommends approval of the development and feels that the proposal is a good response to the character of the site and the heritage conservation area. The restoration of the St Patrick's School hall is a positive outcome of the application," the report states.

Work on the Marian site is yet to start in earnest.

Over at St Pat's, Mr Rampton also wants to build seven three-bedroom units on the Cartwright Place aspect. Mr Lee said these would be aimed at older people, given the close proximity to doctors and dentists in the CBD.

The developers were forced to re-design the units after planners raised concerns about parking and their closeness to the street.

The units will be accessed off Cartwight Place, while the motel, split across two structures, will be accessed via Verner St.

Landscaping and fencing are also planned.

The project involves $2.56 million in building works but the investment is understood to be worth much more.

St Patrick's Primary School closed in 1998 and merged with Sts Peter and Paul's Primary in Knox St.

The hall, once used for wedding receptions and numerous other functions, has not been used in many years.

The Catholic Church and the Sisters of Mercy have gradually sold surplus land in the precinct to developers.

Mr Lee said Mr Rampton was planning a redevelopment sympathetic to its surrounds.

"I'd say they would like to get started as soon as possible," he said.