What’s next for Battery Point apartments?
The Hobart Planning Committee has weighed in on plans for an apartment block in a bustling suburb. THEIR DECISION>>
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Hobart Planning Committee has refused plans for an apartment complex in Battery Point, with the hopes developers will get back to the drawing board.
Proposed at the Knopwood Street site was a six level complex, comprising of 26 apartments across two interconnected podiums.
The development application was recommended for refusal amid heritage and building height concerns.
It also received 342 representations in opposition of the build, with many concerned the building would overshadow popular pub Preachers.
A previous application for the development was refused in 2016 and was appealed.
On Monday the applicant’s representative Roger Curtis said the current iteration of the development was more compliant.
“We would urge you to accept there are a number of features that are far more sympathetic and more attractive in terms of the heritage code and its requirements in the Battery Point precinct compared to what’s already been approved,” Mr Curtis said.
Councillor Bill Harvey said he agreed with the officer’s recommendation to refuse the application.
“I’m hoping they do come back with something that meets the planning scheme requirements,” Mr Harvey said.
“I’m supportive of the podium level but not the three storeys above, possible two of those storeys could be removed.”
Alderman Jeff Briscoe moved a motion to defer the application, which was defeated.
“It is an important development, it’s an eyesore at the moment, everyone hopes a really good development happens there,” Mr Briscoe said.
“It would be better to defer it to see if there is the possibility of some changes rather than going through all that appeals process.
“I notice the applicant paid at least $35,000 to put the new application in and presumably if
that’s the sort of money the council would have to fork out if it went to a full appeal.”
Mr Harvey said it needed to go through the proper process.
“I’d rather go through the formal process of mediation which is different to deferring it so the parties can have a chat,” Mr Harvey said.
The development application will go before the full council next week.
Fears major development will ruin much loved pub
A development application to create 26 new homes with the build of an apartment complex in Battery Point has received more than 300 objections from the community and has been recommended for refusal by council officers.
Proposed the site at Knopwood Street is a six level complex, which will comprise of 26 apartments across two interconnected podiums.
A cafe and wine bar is proposed for the ground level of the second podium, which will open out to Knopwood Street.
Part of the site is currently being used as a public carparking area and another section was previously an antique store.
Council officers recommended the development application be refused for five reasons.
Among the reasons were the building height, concerns the design and siting of the building would be detrimental to the precinct’s historic cultural heritage significance, and concern the building would detract from the pattern of development in the area.
There were a total of 348 representations against the proposal, four were in support, two did not state an opinion and the remaining 342 were in opposition.
“Design of the upper floors of the development is an eyesore and would negatively impact the aesthetics of the Salamanca waterfront and the local area,” one objection reads.
Several of the objections raised concerns around potential overshadowing of popular pub, Preachers.
“Preachers has been an institution for a long time and this proposed development of the nearby multistorey building will ruin the ambience of this much loved place,” a community member said in a representation.
“The proposed new building will literally put the adjacent business in its shadow,” another said.
The Urban Design Advisory Panel, which provides advice to the council on lodged applications, was not supportive of the proposal.
“The panel unanimously agreed that the proposal is an overdevelopment of the site, particularly with regard to townscape scale,” the panel said.
“The panel believes height is also a major issue in terms of amenity.”
The development application will be discussed at the Hobart Planning Committee meeting on Monday evening.
More Coverage
Meet the teacher opening up a whole new world of opportunities
The teacher behind Tasmania’s first STEM education-focused charity has been given an incredibly prestigious award that will see him rubbing shoulders with the Prime Minister.
Council tried to sting developer with $900k condition
A Southern Tasmanian council tried to make it a condition for a developer to pay $900k to approve a major subdivision project. Here’s why that was considered unreasonable.