The Sutton Forest Inn application was debated by council again on Wednesday, following its rescission earlier this month of approval for a 90-unit motel on the site.

Opponents of the development had argued that aspects of the development did not comply with the development control plan (DCP) for the Sutton Inn site, including the two-storey accommodation buildings, area of car parking, landscaping and buffer zones and building separation.

Speaking in behalf of residents at Wednesday’s meeting, consultant Tony Moody said the Land and Environment Court would give great weight to the site-specific DCP.

Mr Moody said in his view, the proposal significantly breached the DCP and represented a massive urbanization of rural settings.

“I would not be sitting here if local residents said ‘we do not want change’ - that is an indefensible position,” he said.

“But change should be in accordance with the state-specific DCP”.

Mr Moody also called on council to appoint an independent sewerage treatment expert to assess the proposed sewerage treatment plant and associated works, given the sensitive nature of the site.

“The site can be developed, but I urge deferral ahead of amended plans that address the site specific DCP,” he said.

Mr Field told council that the site was one of four deemed to be of shire importance and rezoned ahead of the new shire-wide draft Local Environment Plan.

“The facility satisfies the demand for tourism facilities and a conference facility,” he said. “We have answered council’s call and taken up the challenge of providing an appropriate development that will generate jobs and business in the community.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, July 28