Fragrance Group’s twin towers and Lenna hotel expansion knocked back

The Hobart City Council has delivered a resounding “no” to Fragrance Group’s controversial North Hobart twin towers project.

An artist’s impression of Fragrance Group’s North Hobart towers proposal. Picture: SUPPLIED

FRAGRANCE Group’s controversial North Hobart twin towers project has been rejected by Hobart City Council.

The council voted 8-3 in favour of the planning committee’s recommendation to refuse the $80 million proposal with only Aldermen Marti Zucco, Tanya Denison and Simon Behrakis supporting the development.

The Singapore-based firm applied to build 12- and 13-storey towers in Elizabeth St near the corner of Warwick St.

The new buildings would have housed a 214-room hotel and 91 apartments, as well as underground parking for nearly 200 cars.

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Councillor Bill Harvey said the Fragrance Group’s proposal “dramatically failed” the planning scheme.

“It also dramatically fails the expectations of the community,” he said.

Hobart Not Highrise president Brian Corr said he was pleased with the council’s decision.

“It shows proposals by Fragrance Group are way too high,” he said.

“It’s a good decision by council and demonstrates they’re taking height and heritage seriously.”

Plans for a $60 million expansion at the site of the heritage-listed Lenna of Hobart hotel in Battery Point were also sent to the reject bin.

Aldermen voted 8-3 to refuse the proposal with only Aldermen Marti Zucco, Tanya Denison and Simon Behrakis voting in favour of the planning committee recommendation to approve the development.

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The proposed Lenna development, overlaid on the current hotel. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Alderman Peter Sexton said overshadowing of the Princes Park was of deep concern to the community.

“This would have an adverse effect on amenity, on sunlight and on plants,” he said.

Friends of Princes Park spokesman David Hook said it was delighted by the council’s decision to refuse the Battery Point development.

“We are pleased the councillors listened to the community’s concerns that the hotel height was excessive, overshadowing Princes Park and blocking the public’s views of kunanyi/Mount Wellington,” he said.

“We believe this case highlights the need for stronger planning regulations in Hobart to protect our public spaces and parks from unsympathetic development.”