Rotorua Lakes Council confirms dates for hearings on controversial Koutu hotel project

The site of a proposed new hotel on Bennetts Rd. PHOTO/FILE

Two days have been set down for hearings into a controversial hotel project at Koutu.

Rotorua Lakes Council has confirmed the two days at the beginning of November for hearings into the development.

They will be heard by three commissioners, Greg Hill (chairman), Henry Weston and Antoine Coffin.

The 100-room, four-star hotel planned for Bennetts Rd has attracted controversy with more than 120 submissions opposing the development.

The council received 124 submissions and 33 submitters wanted to speak at the hearings, which were originally expected to be in late September or early October.

Plans were unveiled more than a year ago for the new multimillion-dollar hotel which developers said would bring about 30 jobs and attract tourists.

The proposed hotel, on vacant land, would include a swimming pool, restaurant and tennis courts.

However, some Koutu residents feared the hotel set a precedent of commercial buildings in residential neighbourhoods. They were concerned about the increase in traffic and visitors along with the noise and other impacts.

The hearings will be held at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre on November 8 and 9, starting at 9.30am.