Hobart Not Highrise president Brian Corr joins Welcome Stranger development appeal process

A fierce opponent of the proposed Welcome Stranger development will now play a key role in the developer’s appeal.

ONE of the proposed Welcome Stranger development’s fiercest opponents has joined as a party in the tribunal appeal.

Hobart Not Highrise president Brian Corr was given the status by Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal registrar Jarrod Bryan during a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

The application to join wasn’t opposed by Ireneinc Planning principal Irene Duckett, who represented proponent Hexa Group on the first day of hearings.

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It’s understood Mr Corr’s involvement would have been difficult for the developer to oppose, given he had made a submission to Hobart City Council during the public advertising period.

The Tasmanian Heritage Council’s Russell Dobie is also a party to the appeal.

144 Macquarie St, Hobart, where the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal is located. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Mr Corr now has an opportunity to put in an application to enlarge the grounds of refusal.

Mr Corr and Hobart Not Highrise have been strong opponents of the Welcome Stranger proposal since it was first announced in November last year.

The group objects to the development as they believed it was too high, overpowered heritage surrounds due to its bulky and plain design and would create problems with view lines and streetscapes.

An artist impression of the proposed Welcome Stranger development from St David's Park.

Following the initial hearing on Wednesday morning, the parties engaged in preliminary mediation to attempt to resolve some of the issues before the case heads to a full hearing in October.

The Mercury was required to leave proceedings during the preliminary mediation.

Brian Corr from community group, Hobart Not Highrise. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Hobart City Council voted earlier this month to block the $30 million plan for a 13-storey apartment building on the corner of Davey and Harrington streets on heritage grounds.

These included the loss of original 19th century historic fabric and its bulk, scale and siting with respect to a listed building.

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