SUTTON Forest residents have demanded Wingecarribee Shire Council reject the proposed motel and conference centre development at the Sutton Forest Inn at its meeting today.

A meeting of 41 residents at the Moss Vale Civic Centre last week passed a resolution questioning the permissibility of the development as a motel, since the proposed strata titling and design of the development would allow alternative uses.

The meeting also passed a resolution calling on Council not to allow variations of the development control plans (DCP) for Sutton Forest Inn, and for motels generally, claiming the current proposal breached provisions of the DCPs relating to landscaping, buffer zones, carparking and building separation.

The meeting also raised concerns about light from the site and the adequacy of gas and electricity services. Participants called on the council to consider the impact on the community rather than the economic viability of the developer.

Council will reconsider the Sutton Forest Inn development today, after previously rescinding approval of a 90-unit motel.

The proposal was scaled down from 100 units at council’s request to address issues raised in public submissions.

Sutton Forest Inn owner and developer Richard Field did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.

However, Mr Field said following the meeting he was extremely disappointed that Cr Larry Whipper’s rescission motion was passed at a council meeting when four of the councillors who voted for the project were not present.

“That is real democracy for you,” he said.

Mr Field said council had specially rezoned the Sutton Forest Inn for tourism-related development in line with its policy of promoting tourism-related business and employment in the shire.

“Our project will provide accommodation and conference facilities that are not available in the shire and will offer major employment on an on-going basis as well as generate visitation rates that will inject considerable money into the local community,” he said.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Wednesday, January 23