Shire set to back $85 million new ‘Isle of Wight’ hotel

HIGHLIGHT of the Bass Coast Shire Council meeting this Wednesday, September 20 will be the tabling of a planning permit application for the construction a new $85 million, 163-room residential hotel, at 9-11 The Esplanade, Cowes, site of the old Isle of Wight Hotel.

The old hotel, at one time owned by Australian tennis legend, Frank Sedgman, burnt down in May 2010, leaving a gaping hole in the Cowes’ landscape for more than a decade.

And, in a sign of the times, where attracting and housing staff is a major issue for the hospitality sector, the project includes 50 rooms for worker accommodation.

As well as the residential hotel, which comprises hotel suites, function rooms/centre, restaurant, swimming pool and swim-up pool bar, there will also be a traditional hotel with public bar, bistro, restaurant and beer garden. There will be space for four retail shops, a wellness centre and gym, with developers also seeking to use the carpark for outdoor music and entertainment events from time to time.

A report to council, to be considered ahead of this week’s meeting, recommends approval of the long-awaited hotel project despite a major shortfall in the parking requirement at peak times of 1132 (normally 748) of 935 spaces.

And while the project is compliant with the condition of no more than seven storeys, at 27.58 metres, the hotel building component exceeds the 23-metre preferred height limit by almost 5 metres.

“Whilst at 27.58 metres, the hotel building component exceeds the 23-metre preferred height limit it still is within the 7-storey preference. Furthermore, the development is substantially lower for the remainder of the site, with the main pavilion building with the pool terrace only 2 storeys in height across more than two thirds of the width of the northern frontage,” said the shire in its report.

“The application has been assessed against the Bass Coast Planning Scheme and whilst a significant reduction in car parking is sought, is considered to provide an overall net community benefit. This is achieved through the economic outcomes flowing through from additional visitors, employment, worker accommodation and upgrades to the public realm.”

As part of the approval process, the council has been at pains to save the iconic Moreton Bay Fig tree at the front of the site.

The application underwent notification and as a result there were 46 submissions received, 39 objections and 7 submissions of support.

Objections included concerns about parking, excessive height, wind-tunnel effect, hours of operation, traffic management, retention of the Morton Bay Fig, lack of bus parking and electric vehicle charging stations.