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Refusal recommended for Ettalong hotel

 

Gosford Council officers have recommended refusal of an application for a new four-storey building incorporating a hotel and 14 residential flats on the site of the Ettalong Hotel at 384 Ocean View Rd.

The council will consider the recommendation tonight (Tuesday).

Grounds for the recommendation were that the proposal was inconsistent with the draft local environment plan (LEP) and supporting draft development control plan (DCP) for the Ettalong town centre.

They were also that "approval would not be in the public interest".

In a report to council, development and health unit officers stated that a council decision about the draft LEP and DCP last month, limiting the height of buildings in the town centre to three storeys, was "clearly at variance" with the proposal.

The draft plans previously had not specified a height limit.

The application, which was submitted in August last year, was otherwise in compliance with the plans, the officers reported.

They stated that existing surrounding development was generally a mixture of one and two storey forms, other than the Ettalong Memorial Club which had four storeys. The club has approval for a seven-storey building.

The council's Traffic Committee raised no objection in principle to the proposed development but recommended a number of conditions. They were:

Adequate signage to the carpark for efficient traffic circulation.

Any redundant dish crossings and damaged kerb and gutter be replaced.

Reconstruction of the redundant crossover in Ocean View Rd be carried out with pavers to match the existing pavers, and at a grade consistent with the footpath.

Planning NSW commented: "The proposal is consistent with strengthening existing town centres and providing greater housing choice principles identified in the 'Shaping the Central Coast' regional planning strategy."

They also pointed out that Planning NSW has no statutory authority in the matter.

The recommendation to councillors is that the development be refused because the proposal is inconsistent with the Draft LEP and supporting Draft DCP with respect to 'desired character' for the Ettalong Beach Town Centre.

Council agenda DH.059, May 7