An appeal against the Launceston City Council's approval of Winston Play and Stay, a $2.2 million purpose-built facility at St Leonards, is nearing an agreement.
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The council approved the dog daycare and hotel facility at its March 5 meeting. After it was approved, an appeal against the council's decision was lodged with Tasmania's Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal.
A hearing on April 7 allowed two more appellants to join the appeal against the development and a tribunal hearing was set for May 28.
However the tribunal hearing has been vacated as the involved parties mediated a draft consent agreement, the terms of which The Examiner are not privy to at this time.
The four appellants made seven points for grounds for appeal against the council's decision, including the development's:
- Potential to confine or constrain adjoining primary industry uses
- Restriction of agricultural land use, with about 4.7 hectares of it classified as prime agricultural land
- Surrounding low intensity pastoral use, land could be used for blueberry, hazelnut, olives or vineyard production
- Failure to demonstrate a significant benefit to the northern region
- The status of the existing dwelling was unclear and not addressed
The 48 Blessington Road facility could accommodate up to 150 dogs during the day, with 60 dogs capable of staying overnight and the rest day as day-visitors.
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Twenty-one representations were received by the council on the development application earlier this year, with 13 in support and 11 raising concerns with the proposal.
An RMPAT spokesperson said it was awaiting further material from all parties to finalise the agreement.
Representatives of the appellants, developer and the council were contacted for comment.
The planned facility features a half an acre outdoor fenced and sectioned play area, including a water park and a lagoon.
The more than 2500 squared metre indoor area includes space for a staff residence, a pooch salon and a dog drive-thru to drop pets off of a morning.
A dog shuttle bus will operate from the site in the morning and afternoons.
The development was expected to employ 20 full-time equivalent staff and would be open seven days a week from: 7am until 6pm Monday to Friday, Saturday 9am until 12pm and Sunday from 2pm until 5pm.
Winston Play and Stay would be the sister business of Pets Now Boarding based at Breadalbane.
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