A application lodged with Shoalhaven City Council in 2017 shows plans for the hotel to extend existing stairs onto a rooftop sundeck.

The sundeck would reach 15.8 metres high, 4.8 metres higher than the 11-metre height limit set out in the Local Environment Plan.

The hotel currently has three levels, two for accommodation suites and one for a restaurant and bar, as well as a basement carpark.

In documents submitted to the council by an architectural firm representing the business, states the “majority of the height, bulk and scale is already existing”.

“The additional roof area is very small, well set back from the sides and barely visible,” it reads. 

“It will not change the character of the existing building or the desired future character of the locality.”

Gene Lorenz, who owns a property on boundary of the hotel site, wrote a submission to council opposing the development.

He wrote in his submissions that modifications to the original hotel plans had “resulted in a structure that is already excessive in terms of bulk and scale”. 

“The over-development of the site, despite the planning controls which were designed to prevent it, will only be made worse should the current proposal be allowed,” Mr Lorenz wrote.

“Based on past experience, there is also the real prospect that further incremental modifications and extensions will be sought in the future.

“This would compound the significant negative impact on the beauty and tranquillity of this coastal village and the amenity and privacy of local residents.”

Mr Lorenz said the addition of a sundeck would compromise the privacy of neighbours. 

“People using the rooftop terrace would be able to look down and further across into neighbouring private spaces, and also to observe activity on the street without being easily observed themselves,” he wrote.

“Given the increased height of their vantage point, it is very likely that they would have a larger range of view.”

Inviting council staff onto his property for a site inspection, Mr Lorenz said the visual and acoustic impact would be made “very clear”. 

“[A site inspection] would make very clear the current visual and acoustic impact that the development has had so far, and also show the potential for further intrusions which would result from the approval of his modification,” he wrote.

The hotel’s existing licence would prohibit the serving of food and drinks on the proposed sundeck.

Documents submitted to council state only hotel guests would be able to access the rooftop area, and not restaurant guests.

“This outdoor terrace would create a private area for reading and sun lounging away from the restaurant and bar area,” it reads. 

“It will not be available to the public and no food or beverage will be served on this level.”

If approved, the development would cost $100,000, be made of concrete, with white and grey walls, and include vegetation screening. 

Since 2013, 10 development applications have been submitted to council for the Banisters Pavilion Hotel site.

An original application described the development as “motel with function and conference centre”.

In 2014, plans were modified to “delete [the] function room and replace [it] with 10 additional motel rooms”. 

The hotel now includes a bar and restaurant, increased opening hours, two levels of hotel accommodation, a basement carpark and live music.