DEVELOPER Errol Stewart plans to lodge a development application for his silos hotel project in three weeks - so long as the Tasmanian Planning Commission approves a dispensation application to develop the riverside land.
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The commission finished a two-day hearing on the proposed development yesterday and is expected to take between 10 to 14 days to either approve or reject the application.
Bunnings, which is building a superstore at the opposite end of Lindsay Street, had been the sole objector to the application but removed its objection a fortnight ago.
The $20 million hotel proposal is expected to be made up of 140 rooms; half contained within the existing silo barrels and half in a new rectangular building behind the structure on its Lindsay Street side.
There will be bar, restaurant and conference facilities contained within the buildings.
Mr Stewart described the hearing as positive and said he was well-supported by a detailed submission to the project by the Launceston City Council.
"It's not across the line yet but we are very confident that we will get across the line within a very short time frame," he said.
In the meantime, Mr Stewart said he was able to lodge a development application for earthworks, which he would do next week.
A flood wall to protect the hotel from potential river swells is halfway complete with piles and buttresses in place, awaiting concrete panels.
Mr Stewart said across the river, his Peppers Seaport Hotel - which will celebrate its 10th anniversary on April 1 - had recorded its best month on record, which he attributed to increased visitation to Launceston.
