NINETEEN High Wycombe property owners are facing the compulsory acquisition of their homes or businesses under draft plans for a residential precinct surrounding the new Forrestfield train station.

A further 34 properties will require partial acquisition to allow for the construction of a new road network, public open space and environmental conservation.

In a variation on the plot of classic Australian film The Castle, some affected residents say not only will they be forced to move, in the interim they find themselves trapped in their own homes with no clear timeline, or price, for the acquisition of their properties.

The draft City of Kalamunda Forrestfield North Residential Precinct plan, currently out for public comment, includes large swathes of land that have been rezoned for medium or high-density development, representing a potential windfall for their current owners.

Others, including a strip of 12 properties north of Brand Road, have been earmarked for environmental conservation and public open space, rendering them useless on the private market.

Each home will eventually be bought through a development contribution plan (DCP), but there is no clear deadline for the scheme, which is being “prepared and progressed over the next 18-24 months” according to the City of Kalamunda.

This week Metronet project manager Anthony Kannis reinforced the fears of residents when he rubbished the McGowan Government’s $122 million “value capture” revenue prediction over the next four years, stating it could take up to 30 years to collect that much money through DCP arrangements.

One of the affected homes belongs to a 93-year-old pensioner whose children said they were worried his future relocation options, should his health deteriorate, had been severely limited.

Another is owned by retirees Margaret and Eddy Keil who said residents were “hopping mad” about being left in limbo.

“We bought this home from the City of Kalamunda in 2002 and it is our only asset, without it we are stuck,” she said.

“There is a nearby property that has been on the market for 18 months with no interest at all. Why would anyone buy a home with this hanging over it?”

Joe Tanner, who built the first home on the street 35 years ago, said he considered himself lucky a road was slated to be built through the middle of his property because it meant he would be among the first purchases under any DCP.

“We can’t do anything about it. I’ve spoken to my lawyer and he’s said we’re wasting our time and money,” he said.

“I would like to have the option of spending the rest of my life here but that is now taken away from me.

“In one way I’m happy because at least I have a customer to sell to. The council will need to buy my house to put the road in.

“I might be waiting three to five years but some of the other residents around here could be waiting 20 years.”

A City of Kalamunda spokeswoman said the DCP could not be finalised until consensus was reached on the adjacent Forrestfield Station precinct, which is being held up as the McGowan Government investigates options for a multistorey carpark.

Planning and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she expected a recommendation on the carpark soon.

“I understand the concerns of people affected by the change but will ask the council and the City of Kalamunda to work with community (if the draft structure plan is adopted),” Ms Saffioti said.

“We are also reviewing the developer contribution process across the State to develop a better, faster process to address the issue of fairness for landowners affected.”