18-storey apartment block and 14-storey hotel approved for Gouger St

AN EIGHTEEN-storey apartment and hotel complex backed by Chinese investors has been approved for Gouger St in the heart of the central business district.

A LARGE residential and hotel development planned for Gouger St has finally gained approval.

The Development Assessment Commission last week approved developer Tangcheng's plans, which include an 18-storey apartment block and 14-storey hotel between Claxton and Selby streets.

There are also two smaller apartment buildings of eight storeys, a five-storey student housing block, townhouses and a supermarket.

The commission had twice deferred assessment after neighbours raised concerns about the hotel overshadowing their homes.

Plans were revised to narrow the width of the hotel, lowering its capacity from 184 rooms to 129, and shift it east to reduce the overshadowing of Claxton St properties.

The approval is subject to a traffic management plan and details of bicycle parks, lighting and security cameras.

Architect and Hames Sharley director David Cooke was pleased to have the approval.

"It's gone through the process so we're happy that it's over that first hurdle," he said.

Mr Cooke said he would this week speak with Tangcheng management, who were currently in China, to find out their construction plans.

Claxton St residentTom Armitage said residents still held concerns about the scale of the project and the traffic and parking problems it might cause, but conceded the amended design was not far "out of line" with city planning rules.

He said residents would lobby the City Council to have Claxton St blocked off after the proposed carpark entrance to the development, to minimise traffic problems.

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