Developer accuses Town Hall of shifting goalposts in bid to build 250-bed hotel in Little Collins St

A DEVELOPER has accused the city council of shifting the goalposts in refusing plans for a 250-bed residential hotel on the site of the Uniting Church headquarters in the CBD.

A DEVELOPER has accused the city council of shifting the goalposts in refusing plans for a 250-bed residential hotel on the site of the Uniting Church headquarters in the CBD.

City planners refused the project in Lt Collins St, prompting developers BPM to appeal the decision in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

PRINCESS PARK PROJECT ANGERS RESIDENTS

RECORD-BREAKING 330M TOWER PLAN

FUTURE MELBOURNE: HOW YOUR SUBURB RATES

BPM managing director Jonathan Hallinan said the company had been “working under an unclear and ever-changing set of parameters” with the council.

The hotel planned at 130-134 Lt Collins St, Melbourne. Picture: BPM/Elenberg Fraser

The hotel was needed to address an under-supply in the hotel room market in the city, he said.

The project is proposed on a site occupied by the eight-storey Uniting Church House and located near the Hero apartment building, formerly the Russell St postal and telephone exchange.

The 36-floor redevelopment is a joint venture between BPM and the church, and designed by architects Elenberg Fraser.

The building at 130-134 Lt Collins St, is on the corner of Coromandel Place, Melbourne.

The Uniting Church Centre in Lt Collins St is being redeveloped.

The proposed hotel plan also included a business centre, restaurant and shops fronting Little Collins St and Coromandel Place.

The Uniting Church is planning to move its Synod of Victoria and Tasmania staff to the Wesley Place development on Lonsdale St.

Proceeds from 130 Little Collins St development will be used to support the mission and operation of the church.

Uniting Church Centre is the site of proposed 250-bed residential hotel by developer BPM.

A council spokesman said the site was located within the Hoddle Grid Special Character Area.

“The City of Melbourne decided to refused the application predominantly due to the proposal being an overdevelopment of the site,’’ he said.

[e-mail]

@IanRoyall