The Western Advocate reported in September, 2020 that a development application had been lodged for a 16-room motel on Durham Street.

To help make room for the motel, the applicant proposed to knock down the dwelling at 103 Durham Street, a post-World War 2 bungalow, and partially demolish two locally heritage-listed homes at 101 and 99 Durham Street.

The proposal was later amended to feature a 15-room motel, however the demolition plans remain the same.

It also includes additions and alterations to the existing heritage dwellings that are to be retained, converting them to a motel reception area and managers residence.

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Council resolved to grant consent and imposed three conditions.

These include amending the plans showing privacy screens in two areas, that demolition cannot occur until a construction certificate has been issued for the infill development, and that a boundary fence is constructed between the subject land and 97 Durham Street to prevent access.

During discussion of the DA, councillors praised the developer for retaining portions of 101 and 99 Durham Street and incorporating them into the development.

Councillor Jess Jennings noted the efforts that had been taken to salvage the majority of the houses.

"I particularly like the fact that they were able to maintain two out of the three heritage houses and the lesser one of the three not being kept," he said, feeling the way the homes are to be incorporated in a new development could be a first for Bathurst.

"It's an innovate approach and it looks like a good, functional living and commercial space, so congratulations to the applicant."

Director of Environmental, Planning and Building Services, Neil Southorn, echoed his comments.

"It is a pleasing feature of the application, one that council staff have endorsed, and indeed the adaptive reuse of the heritage buildings is to be applauded," he said.

Cr Jennings also said that Bathurst had become a destination and was in need of more accommodation.

The plans for the motel have been in the works for a long time.

While the DA wasn't received until September last year, a pre-lodgement meeting was held with council nearly 12 months earlier.

The meeting gave the applicant guidance to help get the plans right before a DA was submitted.

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