Bayswater Council will on Tuesday decide whether to recommend refusal of a controversial new high-density, developer-led urban planning document for the Meltham station precinct.

The plan is the second high-profile example of Perth developers flexing bigger planning muscles granted through a law change, with councils worried by the results but largely powerless to change them.

A resident's protest over plans for the Meltham station precinct.

The City of Joondalup recently threw the dice in attempting to tone down plans to transform a stretch of Sorrento beachfront despite developer threats to effectively hold rejuvenation to ransom if they did not kowtow.

City staff have recommended councillors refuse the plan, saying there are "significant elements, including the structure plan boundary, building heights, open space, and road/intersection upgrades that are not resolved".