LIGHT Regional Council is being challenged over its handling of the proposed development application for the $50 million ‘Oscar’ luxury hotel at Seppeltsfield.

Council has characterised the proposed hotel as ‘tourist accommodation’ – category 2 form of development, which means consultation only needs to occur with direct neighbours.

That decision has been met with upset from a number of community members who claim the general public and those significantly affected, should be given the opportunity to have their say also.

Last week, Light Regional Council confirmed it was being challenged in the Environment, Resources and Development (ERD) Court.

“Public consultation with respect to the Development Application (DA) took place between August 3, 2020 and August 14, 2020 and 11 representations were received,” a council statement read.

“Two of the representors have (through legal representation) applied to the Environment, Resources and Development Court (ERD Court) for a review of the council’s decision with respect to the category and characterisation….of this DA.

“The ERD Court will review the council’s processing of the DA to date, and it will determine whether the council has correctly determined the category and the characterisation of the development which is the subject of the DA.

“Accordingly, at this stage council intends to postpone any further consideration of the DA until the review proceedings in the ERD Court have been determined.”

The hotel’s development application was lodged with council in April and proposes a 12-storey building with 71 rooms, ancillary dining, welcome lounge, bars, viewing deck, day spa, swimming pool and gym, and undercroft carparking.

The hotel would an addition to the historic ‘Seppeltsfield Winery’ complex and is being funded and driven by a consortium of investors.