Developers behind the proposed $50 million Gorge Hotel will take second shot after its plans were knocked back more than 16 months ago by the state's planning appeals tribunal due to its height.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The JAC Group lodged a planning scheme amendment to establish a specific area plan for the site on the corner of Paterson and Margaret streets with the City of Launceston council on Monday.
RELATED: Plans to build $50m Gorge Hotel
The group's managing director Dean Cocker said they lodged the SAP to address the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal's rejection of the hotel due to its proposed height of 39-metres.
"The specific area plan we have lodged matches the building envelope of the Gorge Hotel closely. If approved, we would still need to lodge a development application, but the hotel's height within that building envelope would be permitted and that height could not be a future ground of appeal," he said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"Given the impact of COVID-19, the timeframe for starting construction might need to be delayed by three to five years, but we are still in discussion with international hotel operators who would be interested once the effects of this pandemic are over."
The council's chief executive officer Michael Stretton confirmed it had received an application for the planning scheme amendment for the site.
The amendment will likely be voted on at a council meeting next month, if it's approved by councillors it will then be put out for public comment.
The nine storey hotel proposes 145 rooms, a 200-seat bar and restaurant, 500-seat function centre, rooftop cocktail bar, gym, day spa, retail space and parking for up to 175 vehicles.
An economic impact assessment by Choice Location, which was commissioned by the company, estimated the project would generate 300 full-time equivalent jobs over a two-year construction period and once open, would create more than 280 full-time equivalent positions.
The council approved the hotel in June 2019, before an appeal was lodged by neighbouring restaurateur Susie Chai with support from Launceston Heritage Not Highrise.
Ms Cai claimed the proposed 39-metre hotel would overshadow her unit, blocking all natural light.
In November 2019, RMPAT found the overshadowing was not an issue but upheld the appeal on height and compatibility grounds. It found the height of the building was 'not in harmony' with the streetscape or character of the area.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.examiner.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @examineronline
- Follow us on Instagram: @examineronline
- Follow us on Google News: The Examiner
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
