Developers take Hotel Windsor dispute to VCAT

The developers are seeking to have the planning permit extended to January 2015.

The owner of the Hotel Windsor has appealed to Victoria's planning tribunal for more time to redevelop the historic building.

The State Government has refused to grant an extension to the Halim Group's planning permit.

Under the current permit work, would have to start in November.

But the Halim Group is seeking to have the start date extended to January 2015.

A lawyer for the Planning Minister has told the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that Halim has had enough time to get started.

But the group's lawyer, Chris Canavan QC, says it has been tied up complying with heritage regulations.

"We say there are good reasons why it has taken longer than you'd normally have contemplated, because of its complexity and we think we've made a good case that that should occur," he said.

The Minister's lawyer would not comment.

The decision has been reserved.

Source: ABC News, 6 August 2012