Billionaire Kerry Stokes has secured approval to close a public road bisecting his sprawling Perth office complex despite the concerns of independent experts, paving the way for a redevelopment that remains shrouded in secrecy.

The City of Perth council this week unanimously backed the removal of public access to the 177-square-metre laneway, which divides three properties owned by a subsidiary of the media mogul’s private firm, Australian Capital Equity.