ROYAL HOTEL

VCAT has refused the permit to develop the Royal Hotel! Our strong community support for heritage in our local precinct has prevailed. Thank you to our many supporters in making this possible.

Our community rallied strongly to fight this proposal which has now been refused by both the City of Yarra and VCAT.

The VCAT decision provides extensive discussion on the reasons for their decision. The full decision is here…The VCAT Decision

• Statement from ECHRI President Ray Tonkin
•  EAST CLIFTON HILL RESIDENTS INC (ECHRI) 
• East Clifton Hill residents welcome the decision by VCAT in Ashwick (vic) 52 Pty Ltd v Yarra CC [2023] VCAT 455 (26 April 2023), and are pleased that VCAT supported the City of Yarra’s position to refuse permit application P11355/2021 for the redevelopment of the Royal Hotel. This position was based on the view that the proposed extent of demolition was excessive, and that the heritage policy outlined in the Yarra Planning Scheme was not being complied with. 
• The Royal Hotel is an important landmark and community icon for our surrounding residential area and this is why ECHRI supported the Council position. 
• We support the Council in its view that the building should stay and continue to be used. Whilst some may wish to see it reopen as a hotel, this may not be possible and a sensitive development which acknowledges the heritage significance of the place and the Heritage Policy and provisions of the Yarra Planning Scheme is likely to be supported. 
• We particularly thank the community, including those who participated as respondents (270+ objections and 50+ VCAT submissions), for their continued support throughout this lengthy process. 
• RAY TONKIN, PRESIDENT , EAST CLIFTON HILL RESIDENTS INC. 30 April 2023 

• Read the Refusal Resolution that was submitted to Council, which has now been vindicated.