A building designer engaged by Launceston Heritage Not Highrise to produce montage images of the proposed $50 million hotel development from various viewpoints in the city has been questioned in a planning appeal.
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The appeal brought before the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal continued this morning, with questions of independence and the ability to be an impartial witness raised by City of Launceston and Global Premium Hotels.
Building designer Jiri Leb was engaged to produce 3D model images of the proposed "Warehouse Hotel complex" with his work presented as evidence for Launceston Heritage Not Highrise.
One of the main issues considered in the appeal is whether Global Premium Hotel's development at the corner of Tamar and Cimitiere Streets is compatible with the streetscape and character of the surrounding area, with its height being a focal point.
Global Premium Hotel's counsel Shaun McElwaine said to Mr Leb that he had shown bias by presenting an analysis of the worst possible viewpoints of the proposed building.
In evidence Mr Leb said that he shared similar views of the group Launceston Heritage Not Highrise, and while he did not believe tall buildings should be prevented from being built in Launceston he did not hold this particular development in a favourable light.
"You haven't given us an analysis of all places from which the building is visible," Mr McElwaine said.
"A range of montage views which also included quite obscure views of the building."
At one stage Mr Leb responded that his task was not to show that the building "can't be very well seen from somewhere, but can be very much be seen from most places".
Launceston Heritage Not Highrise counsel Andrew Walker said Mr Leb took photographs to produce a montage that accurately represented the location, scale and mass of the proposal.
"Quite frankly [Mr Leb's montage images] don't differ from the other witness [montages]."
The appeal continues this afternoon and concludes tomorrow.