Singaporean hotel developer the Fragrance Group has submitted a development application for a five-star hotel at the Clarion Hotel site, but full details were yet to be made publicly available.
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The City of Launceston confirmed the initial documents had been submitted and were under assessment before the plans could be publicly advertised, but it is believed it features nearly 300 rooms of five-star standard with conference space.
The council has sought more information from Fragrance Group as part of the development application process.
The Examiner understands the plans for the Clarion are reduced in height from the original 25-storey, 70-metre plans that Fragrance was pursuing in 2016.
Those plans did not reach the development application stage.
The council's new building heights policy assesses designs under a "performance criteria" if they are greater than 24 metres.
MORE ON THE FRAGRANCE GROUP'S PLANS FOR CLARION HOTEL:
City of Launceston general manager Michael Stretton said the matter would go through the usual processes before being publicly advertised.
"The City of Launceston has received a development application for this site," he said.
"As with other planning applications, once all necessary information has been supplied by the applicant, the development application will be publicly advertised."
In January, the City of Hobart rejected Fragrance Group's 55-metre hotel development on Collins Street in the Hobart CBD after receiving almost 1500 submissions. The plans had earlier been altered to reduce its height.
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Fragrance submitted plans for another hotel on Macquarie Street in June, along with other highrise residential projects.
The City of Launceston is currently defending its decision to approve JAC Group's 39-metre Gorge Hotel proposal on Margaret Street in the Resources, Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal.
The appeal was brought by neighbouring business owner Susie Cai.
The group Launceston Heritage Not Highrise was also formed to oppose the Gorge Hotel proposal, and other highrise hotel developments planned for the city.
Fragrance Group has been contacted for comment.
Chamber of Commerce: Plans a 'vote of confidence' in Launceston
Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose said it was pleasing to hear that Fragrance Group has reached the development application stage for the Clarion Hotel.
He said industry research showed Launceston had a need for greater five-star hotel room capacity.
"This is a fantastic vote of confidence in Launceston's future as a centre for the high end visitor economy as well as a premium destination for high value-add business events such as conferences and high-spending incentive meetings," Mr Grose said.
"Fragrance have been working for some time on refining their proposal in Launceston and it is excellent news that this is now in the development application process.
"A hotel of this scale and quality will spread significant economic benefits throughout the region, generating hundreds of jobs and many business opportunities for local entrepreneurs in the tourism and hospitality industries."