A serviced apartment complex in Forbes' town centre has been given development approval.
The five-storey building, which will include 14 one and two-bedroom apartments, is to be built behind 82-88 Lachlan Street.
Rob Britt, Managing Director of developer Brisull Industries, says he sees the potential for Forbes and its growth.
He spoke to Forbes Shire Council's July meeting, where the development was given the go-ahead by councillors, about the need he has seen to diversify the local accommodation offering.
"Not to compete with the existing facilities that are there but to compliment them, to provide an additional service that people are looking for," he said.
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The apartments, he envisages, will serve those staying more than a night or two, particularly frequent travellers looking to prepare their own meals or host meetings.
"I think with that growth you'll get from the likes of what we're doing that will bring more people to the town and make it grow along the lines of what council are looking to do which is terrific," Mr Britt said.
The development as approved sits off Simpson lane, off Lachlan Street.
It includes secure parking on street level and four storeys of accommodation.
The first and second storeys will have four one-bedroom units, the third and fourth will have two two-bedroom units and one one-bedroom.
Each apartment will include a bedroom, a lounge and dining area, kitchen and laundry - as well as the secure parking. Each has a balcony.
Mr Britt said the council had been very rigorous in its assessment of the plans, which were delivered with a report from the council's heritage advisor and published on the council website with the July council business papers.
"We went back to the drawing board a number of times," he said.
"With the architectural features we tried to take into account the heritage aspects of Forbes, albeit we want to try and maybe introduce a new element to Forbes to show it is a growing city."
The existing retail premises fronting Lachlan Street will remain, with a verandah to be installed to bring back some of the earlier character of the street.
The "tower" feature on the new accommodation is designed to look like a silo, and is based on stories of how the site historically had a watch tower in the days of the bushrangers and the Cobb and Co coaches.
With the development application approved, the project now progresses to construction certificate, with about a five month build.
Mr Britt hopes the apartments will be available from next April, and they will be managed by a professional serviced apartment operator.
Brisull is also looking at developing another complimentary site in Forbes' CBD in future.
