Beloved Patterson Lakes saved after community push quashes redevelopment plans
Patterson Lakes residents who battled to save their beloved local pub have something to raise a glass to this weekend, after an agreement was reached to stop developers swallowing up the Cove Hotel site. But the fight isn’t quite over yet.
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A much-loved pub on the brink of closure to make way for dozens of high-rise apartments has been saved.
Patterson Lakes beloved Cove Hotel will stand for many more years, after Melbourne Racing Club, which leases the hotel and developers Cavendish Properties yesterday agreed to a 30-year lease.
The agreement means a planned five storey building for the site has been ruled out and the hotel’s carpark will also remain untouched.
There were fears the hotel could be forced to close its doors as the planned huge three-tower development swallowed up its carpark.
It is still unknown if a ten-storey building — which would replace the marina hard stack boat storage — will go ahead.
The decision follows a longstanding community campaign and controversy, after opposing residents accused Kingston City Council of withholding crucial planning documents in May.
Carrum Patterson Lakes Forum founder and resident Cameron Howe, who has been vocal in his quest to save the waterside restaurant for more than a year, said he was “thrilled” his fellow residents’ fight had finally paid off.
“The Cove was under threat and would have had its car park halved,“ he said.
“Now, high-rise buildings approved by Kingston council are under heavy scrutiny, with some now ruled out and others facing significant hurdles.”
A VCAT hearing in October considered the carparking reduction at the proposed ten-storey tower at the rear of the hotel and an update from that is expected soon. A VCAT hearing on the other ten-storey building has been adjourned until February.
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Original plans included 236 new dwellings inside three new buildings on 54-64 Pier One Drive and 115A McLeod Rd, which would have sat atop 100 of the hotel’s parking spaces.
“We’ve fought hard to save the iconic and much-loved Cove Hotel, and now it will be preserved for years to come,” Mr Howe said.
“Everyone should be thrilled with the news that they can still enjoy a coldie by the marina. It’s really exciting news.”
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au