The DA proposes the demolition of the Ern Prior Cattle Pavilion and construction of a replacement showground pavilion on the site.

Plans for the Prior Pavilion have been public for some time and subject to some criticism.

The daughters of Ern Prior, who built the pavilion, have expressed their opposition, and want the structure restored instead of replaced.

READ MORE: Bathurst Showground's Prior Pavilion future uncertain over section 60 application

Before the DA could be lodged, Bathurst Showground Land Manager administrator Andrew Fletcher had to submit a Section 60 application to Heritage NSW.

Mr Fletcher told the Western Advocate that the application seeking to demolish the pavilion was approved by Heritage NSW in August.

He reiterated that the reason for demolition comes down to the structural integrity of the pavilion.

"The building structurally is unsafe and that's why it's been closed," he said.

According to the Heritage Impact Statement, the structural assessments of buildings within the showground precinct undertaken in 2020 highlighted a number of structural defects, materials failures and safety issues.

Remediation was considered by the land manager.

This option would have required almost complete disassembly of the building and come at a cost of more than $450,000, whereas demolition and replacement was estimated to cost around $350,000 less.

If the plans are approved, the intention is to replace the pavilion with a building of complementary scale and character.

"Details specifications for this building were prepared and refined to ensure it most closely reflects the profile of the current building," the Heritage Impact Statement said.

"This plan includes retention and re-use of a number of existing building elements."

Mr Fletcher said that, if council approves the DA, the land manager will have to go back to Heritage NSW with plans for demolition.

There are also a number of conditions in the approval from Heritage NSW that will need to be met.

For now, the Prior Pavilion remains fenced off due to safety concerns.

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