Developer behind the six-storey Harrington St proposal has withdrawn its application

IT is back to the drawing board for one developer after it withdrew a controversial application for a mixed residential and retail complex.

An artist’s impression of the development in Harrington St. The developer has now withdrawn its application. Pictures: SUPPLIED

THE developer behind a controversial six-storey mixed retail and residential complex in Harrington St has withdrawn its application and is weighing up its options.

Former council development control planning officer and assistant architect Robert Vincent believes the decision will have far-reaching consequences.

The proposal at 209-215 Harrington St for a 19.6m building comprising 36 residential apartments, ground-floor retail businesses and 61 car-parking spaces, concerned nearby homeowners primarily because they believed it diminished the residential character of the area.

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Seven of eight public submissions opposed the proposal.

The building was above the 15m height recommendations under the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme but the applicant — listed as 6ty — cited nearby structures including the RACT building in Murray St (17m) and St Mary’s Cathedral (19m) as examples of similar size buildings in the area.

 

The proposed retail and accomodation development as seen from Harrington St.

 

A memo to Hobart City Council aldermen this week explained a recent decision by the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal in relation to the planning appeal for a hotel development at 3-4 Montgomery Court, Sandy Bay, had an effect on the officer recommendation for the Harrington St proposal.

“The Harrington St application sought discretion from council in relation to, amongst other things, height,” the memo read.

“The proposed height, and council’s assessment of it against the relevant performance criteria (clause 23.4.1 P1 of the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme 2015), relied heavily upon the principle that its acceptability was determined by comparing the proposed height to the height permitted under the corresponding acceptable solution.

“In broad terms, the Montgomery Court tribunal decision has ruled that such a comparison is not appropriate.”

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Local residents expressed anger against the development.

 

A council planning spokesman confirmed the applicant had withdrawn its application.

“They are in the process of considering their options as to lodging an amended proposal,” he said.

The Mercury understands any resubmitted application would have to adhere to the 15m height restriction.

Mr Vincent said the decision would have a profound effect on the future of the way inner-city housing is devised.

“This development in Harrington St will be a case study in its own right,” he said.

“What we get back to is what is the character of the area, what isn’t.

“That is very much open to interpretation and if this is not addressed it will create a great degree of uncertainty.”