By Andrew Starke
The WIN Corporation’s plans to redevelop the Imperial Hotel in Wollongong have suffered a setback with an Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (IHAP) raising a number of concerns.
Proposed alterations and additions to the existing venue include revamping the pub and restaurant area and constructing a car park.
However, six local residents who oppose the expansion told the IHAP that issues including noise impact on adjoining dwellings, concerns over the size and scale of the development and operating hours needed to be addressed.
On Monday (March 7) night the panel deferred the application pending more information on car park zoning in the area but it appears that WIN will also face an ongoing battle on other fronts.
“The permissibility of the southern car park is a fundamental issue on which the Council needs to be satisfied, prior to the consideration of the merit issues,” said the IHAP in a statement.
“However a number of issues did arise from the public submissions which the applicant would be expected to address should the application proceed.”
The panel said these issues include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Location of motor bike parking. The proposed location appears to be inappropriate in respect of noise impacts to adjoining property to the south.
- A geotechnical report is required to adequately address the issues of land stability, with particular emphasis on the impacts of water and waste water management.
- The proposed decks appear to be inadequately screened to protect the privacy of the dwellings to the north and south.
- The proposed hours of operation should take into consideration the residential nature of the immediate locality.
A spokesperson for the WIN Corporation was not immediately available to comment.