Planning application for three-storey hotel on Warley Ave in Cowes knocked back by Bass Coast Shire Council
A proposed three-storey residential hotel with a restaurant in the heart of Cowes has been knocked back by council. Find out why.
Bass Coast News
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A proposal to build a 15-room hotel with a restaurant at the heart of Phillip Island has been blocked due to concerns it would reduce the amount of parking in the area.
The proposal submitted by Warley Investments to build a 10m hotel on Warley Ave in Cowes has been rejected by Bass Coast Shire councillors due to fears the island would lose an abundance of parking spaces.
According to the application, parking spaces behind the Reject Shop would be removed to make room for construction, with additional car spaces to be built on Warley Ave as an alternative.
Councillor Ron Bauer said it wasn’t “suitable” due to the lack of parking the streets already had.
“It again puts the squeeze in our community for the precious few car spots we have in Thompson Ave area,” Mr Bauer said.
During council’s Wednesday meeting councillors considered the appropriateness of accommodation use, the amenity impacts to adjoining properties, carparking availability and traffic and retention of vegetation and landscaping response.
It comes as council recently approved the construction of the $130m Isle of Wight complex in Cowes which was expected to open in 2027.
Council documents revealed the project had a “modular design” which could “positively” respond to the existing and “emerging streetscape character” of the area.
The development also aimed to achieve a “greater diversity” and “density” of housing and accommodation.
The proposed site was situated 70m north of Chapel St and 150m south of The Esplanade.
Cowes man Christian Marko said the hotel would be a great addition to the island, describing the area as “forever growing”.
“There’s so much potential growth for Cowes and the rest of Phillip Island, and the more places we have for people to stay the more population we will get,” Mr Marko said.
“I know there’s already a lot of traffic coming on and off the island, but it’s what it needs, the more developments means more of an economy boost for local businesses here.”
He said if the project was given the tick, he would recommend the hotel to his Melbourne friends who were visiting Phillip Island.
“It would be a perfect opportunity for any visitor, looking to stay somewhere different,” Mr Marko said.
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“Any new developments on the island are always exciting.”
Councillor Brett Tessari said while he was “very much pro-development”, the project had to be done in the right context.
“This is something the developers do need to re-examine when they put this forward,” Mr Tessari said.
Councillor Tim O’Brien agreed with the pair and said the “bottom end” of Cowes was becoming “increasingly” difficult to navigate because of the “pressure” of cars.
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