A new five-star $50 million hotel in Launceston's CBD is one step closer to becoming a reality, with the Tasmanian Heritage Council approving construction of the Fragrance hotel development.
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If the City of Launceston council gives the development the green light, an 11-storey, 238-room hotel will be constructed on the corner of Cimitiere and Tamar Streets.
The hotel will include 126 car spaces, a 25-metre swimming pool, gym, spa, restaurant, conference facilities and function rooms.
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On Friday, Tasmanian Heritage Council chair Brett Torossi said while the council considered representations from the community, it could not take into account impacts the hotel development would have on nearby places.
"The assessment of land use planning and local heritage impacts relating to bulk, height and character of the proposed hotel on Launceston's historic street and townscapes, and parts of the hotel that are outside of the places entered in the Heritage Register, resides with the planning authority," Ms Torossi said.
"The Heritage Council has had regard to the likely impacts of the proposed works on the historic cultural heritage significance of the relevant places that are entered on the Tasmanian Heritage Register."
MORE ON THE FRAGRANCE PLANS FOR LAUNCESTON:
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- Fragrance Group submits five-star plans for Clarion Hotel site
- Singaporean developers buy Clarion Hotel for $7.2 million
- Fragrange Group plans to build 25-storey hotel in Launceston CBD
- Planned highrise for Launceston debated in Tasmanian Parliament
Ms Torossi said legislation constrained the Heritage Council to only assess and determine works within the boundaries of registered places.
"A large part of the hotel development is outside of these areas and the Act does not allow the Heritage Council to have regard for the impacts of development on adjacent or adjoining places," she said.
Council is expected to vote on whether or not to approve the Fragrance development at its May 14 meeting.
A comprehensive report authored by council's city development manager Richard Jamieson recommends councillors approve the development.
"This assessment suggest that the area is capable of accommodating the change proposed without significantly impacting on the fabric of the city, or how it is read, and perceived by visitors and residents," Mr Jamieson said.
"Growing and evolving cities need to provide contemporary uses and facilities for both their residents and their visitors."