Villa foes refuse to quit

TWO appeals have been lodged against a multimilliondollar expansion of a wedding and accommodation centre south of Hobart.

Residents lodged appeals against the expansion of Villa Howden, on North West Bay, this week with the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal.

The development last month won the go-ahead from Kingborough Council, but some residents are opposing the decision because they are concerned it will threaten the tranquillity of their suburb.

The appeals, both from Howden residents, set out a list of matters related to the scale of the development.

“This development will impact on the peaceful, quaint, natural and relaxing residential suburb of Howden due to the scale and intensity of the proposed development,” says an appeal lodged by Robert Pearshouse.

“The size of the development will also mean massive increase in the traffic on the local road further affecting the residential amenity and natural values,” it says.

The project would expand Villa Howden’s capacity from 10 to 42 rooms, with a new dining area, guests-only bar, pool and spa.

Kingborough Council staff had recommended the expansion be rejected because it was not consistent with the precinct’s zoning of Environmental Living.

But Kingborough Council’s elected members last month voted against the recommendation, instead approving the development subject to conditions.

Designer Marco Linardi, speaking on behalf of the developer, said they would “vigorously defend the proposal in the appeal”.

“At present, the grounds raised are based on the recommendation of the council planner,” Mr Linardi said.

“This recommendation was rejected by council and the proposal was approved.”

Residents discussed their concerns at a recent meeting of the Howden Progress Association, and another is planned for Wednesday at 7.30pm.

“The Howden Progress Association will be discussing how they can support those residents who have lodged appeals on the Howden Villa decision,” Howden Progress Association president James Fox said.

In his appeal, Mr Pearshouse says the proposal is not in accordance with the purpose of an “environmental living zone”, as it “fails to be reflective and responsive to the natural landscape values of the land”.

“The current natural landscape values of the land and its surrounds are Australian bushland natural reserve with an outlook onto pristine North West Bay,” it says.

“An over 3000m square floor area ‘Moroccon, Medieval, Mediterranean’ style building described as an ‘exciting fantasy environment’ by the developer’s planner is not reflective or responsive to the natural landscape values.”