Heritage hotel may be delisted

Gosford Council will consider removing the Patonga Beach Hotel from its heritage list, after advice from its architect.

"Though the existing hotel is heritage listed, subsequent alterations and additions have degraded any heritage value and it is considered it now has little heritage significance."

As a result of the comments, the council has asked its Heritage Committee "to review the continued listing of the site as having heritage significance".

The comments were made as part of a staff report on an application to put roofing over an outdoor terrace, which would create an all-weather outdoor dining area for the hotel, incorporating a wall and lattice screens along the eastern side.

The report stated that the proposal had been designed to complement the existing tavern building and it raised no planning issues.

The recent submission to Council is the latest of a number of applications involving the renovation of an existing residence, including the provision of a minor tavern, minor alterations to the existing store and two new residences.

The original tavern application had been through a number of amendments including the permission of the conversion of the original car parking area in March 2010 to what is currently being used for outdoor dining.

As part of Council's consent to allow removal of all car parking from the site, Council entered into an agreement to receive a contribution of $75,000, payable by ways of three equal payments of $25,000 in the years of 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The report said Council plans to expend those funds solely on car parking and foreshore works in and between the Patonga town centre and Dark Corner boat ramp.

Council Agenda ENV.2, 1 Feb 2011