Plans for a new dining deck outside one of Ballarat's most historic pubs were taken all the way to a tribunal - which ultimately signed off the permit with some minor changes.
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City of Ballarat planners gave the green light to a permit for the new outdoor dining area for the North Star Hotel on the corner of Lydiard Street and Seymour Street last year.
The decking and extended liquor licence area was sought as an amendment to an application for a major renovation.
There were 13 objections to the plans for the dining deck, and one of the objectors - heritage enthusiast and former planner Gerald Jenzen - spearheaded a move to take the council to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
He argued that the decking would have a "negative impact" on the area, which has a heritage overlay, and that it was out of character with the surroundings.
However, Peter Gaschk, the VCAT member overseeing the hearing, upheld the granting of the permit with a few new conditions.
These included omitting planter boxes originally planned for the outside of the decking and replacing them with a glass balustrade to allow the heritage aspect of the hotel to be seen more clearly. Bollards will also be installed around the outside of the new decking area, and the number of patrons allowed outdoors will be limited to 65.
If the decking falls out of use, a new condition requires its removal within 30 days.
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The North Star is owned by Brett Quinlan, who also co-owns the Lake View Hotel on Wendouree Parade.
The building is one of Ballarat's oldest hotels and is listed in the Victorian heritage database. It has previously been called The North Grenville Hotel, the Soldiers Hotel and until July 2018 it was known as Seymours, before the renovation project got under way.
It also has a celebrity connection: the parents of the actor Bill Hunter, who appeared in Gallipoli, Strictly Ballroom and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert were publicans at the North Star.
Mr Jenzen said there were seven contributors for VCAT costs, which go to more than $1,000. They included Ballarat Heritage Watch, himself and five other individuals.
He said he was "disappointed" with the outcome. However, he noted the concessions and said he did not regret the decision to take the matter to the tribunal.
A City of Ballarat spokesperson said they were "pleased to have this matter resolved".
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