The application is requesting permission to build four dwellings in the existing car park of the Royal Oak Hotel at 402 South Street..

The development would require the demolition of existing outbuildings, removal of trees and a reduction in parking requirements.

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Under the plans, two townhouses would be build at the south-western end of the property facing South Street and two at the northern end of the property.

All four properties would have covered double garages with access coming from a shared driveway on Raglan Street.

The common accessway would also be shared with the pub car park, which would be reduced to five spaces.

As part of the redevelopment, the Royal Oak would not only be retained, but also receive a facelift and be painted white with new signage over the entrance at the corner of South Street and Raglan Street.

The existing heritage stables on the property are also planned to be retained.

All four townhouses are planned to be two storeys with an open plan living and dining area. Three would consist of three bedrooms and a study while the largest would have four bedrooms and a second living area.

Outside, each townhouse would include a small backyard while the three with street frontages would also include a front garden.

Aesthetically, the townhouses would be 'contemporary and clearly distinguishable' from existing buildings in the area and be built with light brickwork on the ground floor and dark metal cladding on the first floor.

It is unclear what the townhouses will be used for, whether it is residential housing or short-term accommodation, but it is believed they will not be attached to the Royal Oak Hotel as a business.

Planning documents say the develop would create additional housing stock to meeting the demands of Ballarat's growing population.

"Development of the subject site for infill residential development is consistent with policies of the Ballarat Planning Scheme that identify the need to increase the supply of housing in existing urban areas to make better use of existing infrastructure," the documents say.

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