The company behind a proposed $80 million Launceston hotel development has vowed to stare down a "very, very small group" of concerned residents who want the City of Launceston council's decision to approve the project overturned.
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Global Premium Hotels wanted to start building on the vacant site in Launceston's central business district early next year, but a spokesman conceded the appeal could delay construction.
"We're not opposed to people having the right to appeal, however, when it's a very small group - in this case, it seems to be a very, very small group - that through an appeal, can delay a much-needed project, we just think there needs to be a balance here regarding the amount of time to hear an appeal," the spokesman said.
"No one can really complain if it's a genuine appeal, if it's just simply an appeal designed to delay and cost the proponent more money, I don't think general people in society in Launceston would agree with that approach."
Launceston Heritage Not Highrise member Jim Collier said he would appeal with the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal this week.
Mr Collier said at 43 metres, the main hotel set to form a core part of the development would be too tall and unacceptable.
The site of the proposed development - on the corner of William and Tamar Streets and corner of Tamar and Cimitiere Streets - was also on potentially contaminated land, Mr Collier claimed.
The Global Premiums Hotel spokesman said the building was not "too tall" and was approved by the Tasmanian Heritage Council.
"One of the buildings there is a former garage, you can't do the soil testing until the building is not there and the environmental consultant on the project said there are accepted procedures in place that can be managed if there are contaminants."
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Remediation work would be carried out to the required standard if the site was found to be contaminated, the spokesman said.
"The sad thing about appeals is that they do delay, it also doesn't achieve its aim of showing people we think Launceston has got a pretty good immediate future and is open for business.
"It is sad that in this economic environment we can't just get on and build what we think is the right sort of project for Launceston."
The hotel development was seen as "a bit of a symbol for a post-COVID-19 Launceston", the spokesman claimed.
"We're going to employ lots of people, generate economic activity and we think the city probably will benefit from some morale booster like the hotel, at the moment.
"We have been overwhelmed with the amount of support we've got for the project."
IN OTHER NEWS:
The spokesman said Global Premium Hotels remained committed to completing the development and creating up to 470 jobs.
"We've been working on this now for two years already, we've been very open about what the project was going to be. It's absolutely our intention to employ as many local people as possible."