43 metres is not too high

LEGANA: Everyone has the right to appeal, but Launceston Heritage Not Highrise’s Fragrance Hotel appeal is stifling modern architecture within the city. Like the heritage buildings that they are fighting to preserve, today’s modern, clean-lined architecture will become the next generation’s heritage buildings. The eclectic range of architecture throughout the years is what makes a city. Henty House is one of the least attractive buildings in Launceston but I appreciate its architectural value for its 1980s design.

LHNH’s appeal also focuses on height.

Restricting heights too much will create bland boxes as developers will just try to fit in as much property as possible, which is their right. Having more relaxed height restrictions allow developers to think outside the box and allow for more interesting, albeit slightly higher design, even if it’s not to everybody’s taste. And whilst technically classified as high rise, 43 metres for a building within the second-largest city in Tasmania is not too high when the city itself sits in a valley and has many topography rises and falls within it. If illustrations shown of the hotel’s proposal are accurate, if anything, it makes the heritage buildings around it stand out much more as it shows how architecture and design have changed over time. The design should be embraced as it shows a city moving forward but still preserving past architecture.

A. Kerrison, Legana.