The application for a 28-room hotel to be built into the heritage-listed Yallungah mansion will be considered on Tuesday night after the council deferred the matter at the 11th hour because it was unsure parking contributions could be charged for visitor accommodation.

With councillors tipped to vote against the development and an appeal expected in the NSW Land and Environment Court no matter what the result, friends and business owners stood beside proponent David Nock yesterday and took a tour of the mansion.

Mr Nock said the strong opposition had influenced his own search for support.

“The problem with old buildings is they need a lot of maintenance and you need to make sure that maintenance can be provided, so you either have to have a lot of money or you put it to some commercial use,” he said.

Brand Orange executive officer Rhonda Sear was among those to write letters of support, saying there were limited accommodation options in Orange.

“My understanding is that the Beech Tree Inn will be of a higher standard and therefore meets the accommodation demands perfectly,” she said.

Byng Street Cafe owner Jeremy Norris said he owned accommodation in the area, which was often fully booked and people missed out.

“We’ve got to move with the times and get funky or we’ll be left behind,” he said.

Stepping Stone Restaurant owner Tom Grasso said his business repurposed a heritage building and pointed out the Hydro Majestic at Medlow Bath had been successfully restored with additions.

“This is a landmark of Orange and it was built very early on so this will keep the building in original condition rather than bulldozing it,” he said.

Council staff have recommended to charge almost $97,000 in parking contributions due to a seven-space shortage, and Mr Nock said while he was not happy about it, he would pay the money.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au