A controversial drug rehabilitation centre planned for Northern Tasmania has faced another hurdle after a planning tribunal ruled against the proposal.
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Christian group Teen Challenge Tasmania had sought approval from the Meander Valley Council to build a drug rehabilitation unit at the former primary school site, which the council then supported earlier this year.
It faced an early challenge from the Meander Area Residents and Ratepayers Association (MARRA), which lodged an appeal with the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal (RMPAT).
MARRA argued against the council’s decision to approve the centre’s planning application, raising concerns the school was an inappropriate site which could reduce security in the village.
The tribunal found the planning application had been incorrectly categorised as hospital services, and the development application had not been advertised properly.
However, Meander Valley mayor Craig Perkins stood by the council’s classification on Friday afternoon, saying the assessment had been agreed upon “on planning merits”.
The decision to uphold the appeal could set the project back six to eight months, Cr Perkins said.
It did not signal the end for the proposal, which can be resubmitted when it conforms with the tribunal’s recommendations, he said.
“But it’s not healthy in terms of debate.”
Teen Challenge have a five year lease for the former Meander Primary School site.
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