Beyond Ink lodges development application for Macclesfield Hotel redevelopment

One of the Adelaide Hills’ most iconic pubs is set to be transformed with a new outdoor bar and dining areas. See the plans.

A new outdoor bar and dining areas will form part of a redevelopment proposed for one of the Hills’ most iconic pubs.

Architectural firm Beyond Ink has lodged a development application with the Mount Barker District Council to reinvigorate the Macclesfield Hotel, which dates back to the early years of white settlement in South Australia.

Improvements include a partial demolition of the hotel building, change of use of the outbuilding to be used as an outdoor bar, new veranda and outdoor dining and associated carparking.

In a planning report to the council, director of engineering services company Stantec, David Kwong, said the proposal sought to upgrade and expand the existing hotel.

Concept image of the new-look Macclesfield Hotel. Source: PlanSA

The redevelopment will include much-needed parking. Source: Plan SA.

“(This includes) the expansion of the existing restaurant, expansion of the TAB and general relocation within the main building,” he said.

“Alfresco restaurant seating is also proposed on the verge fronting the site (and) the existing front bat and rear garden is to be retained and refreshed.

“The existing dining and pokies are to be relocated, with a new TAB to be provided.”

Mr Kwong said a parking survey conducted on May 28 showed patrons were currently forced to park along Venables St, promoting the inclusion of a 14-vehicle carpark as part of the development.

Concept images of the new outdoor dining area. Source: PlanSA

“(The survey showed that) at 7pm to 7.30pm, the on-street parking reached its highest occupancy at 44 per cent, or 58 spaces, with 73 vacancies along the street,” he said.

“However, it is notable that the on-street area directly fronting the site, therefore

the closest distance to the site, is fully occupied at this time.”

A council spokesman said the hotel upgrade was one of four in the district.

He said the District Hotel in Nairne had been approved for external painting works, while a planning consent was recently granted for the Hagen Arms in Echunga.

Planning approval was also granted to Callington Hotel owner Stephen Marks, three months after being issued with a stop-work order for demolishing part of the historic pub without consent.

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