Shoalhaven City Council on the NSW South Coast has unanimously rejected hotel expansion plans by the Feros Group following significant community backlash.
On Monday, June 24, the Council voted against the proposed $10.5 million expansions to The Berry Hotel, which has stood on Queen Street, Berry, since 1863.
According to documents from the meeting, the Council decided against the expansion proposal because it believed the Feros Group failed to adequately address a number of planning controls in the development application including heritage conservation and building height.
The Feros Group’s plans involved construction of 33 new hotel rooms, associated parking lots, a rooftop pool and landscaping.
There were 315 submissions made against the expansion proposal despite the project plans suggesting there would be no physical works on the existing building, which has historical significance.
The Council’s rejection on Monday can be overturned by the NSW Regional Planning Panel – which will have the final say given the project’s significant price tag.
A spokesman for The Feros Group told The Daily Telegraph the team were working on amendments to the plan, should it be rejected by the NSW Regional Planning Panel.
The state government body will release its determination online within the next seven days.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
