PLANS to demolish a central Albury property formerly used as a private hospital and motel have been withdrawn.
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Meramie’s owners officially notified Albury Council this week of their decision pull the development application which included demolition and replacement with two bedroom homes of the Kiewa Street property.
Applicants Ian and Joy Clark were unavailable for comment, but planning consultants Habitat Planning confirmed the decision to withdraw the plans.
“After consideration of information from council and public submissions the applicants have agreed to withdraw the development application pending further review and investigation,” director David Hunter said.
“The applicants are now focused on undertaking a more intensive investigation of the property and potential opportunities and intend to present a proposal for further consideration in the near future.”
Meramie has sat vacant in recent years with its most recent use being university student accommodation.
It was built in the 1890s as the residence for former member for Albury and mayor Tom Griffith before being converted to a private hospital where Prime Minister Billy Hughes and his wife were taken following a car accident at Ettamogah in April 1936.
Thirteen years later, Murray Valley Coaches acquired Meramie and turned it into a motel.
“We were really positive to hear council had notified the applicants that their original application was unsatisfactory,” society president Greg Ryan said.
“There were certain aspects that didn’t address the criteria for demolition.
“It’s nice to hear it has gone that one step further.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean it will never happen, but at least the owners are conscious of the fact there is a significant amount of opposition in the community to see a place like that disappear.
“We have seen other buildings sympathetically restored to everybodys’ satisfaction and come up with an alternative to knocking it down.
“A business type application such as solicitors or architects would be something that would fit nicely without destroying the whole facade of the place.”
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