A modified development application (DA) for the Regent Theatre has been put on public exhibition.

A 139 page document can be viewed at Council's website or at the Mid-Western Regional Council chambers and details a markedly different development than initially submitted in 2017 and even 2015.

Regent Theatre developer sympathetic to community's desire

The new development - if approved in its current form - would turn the Regent Theatre space along with the adjoining space at 33 Short Street into two connected but distinct buildings.

The ground floor of the Regent Theatre space would serve dual purpose as a theatre auditorium and a function area with a 'provision of ancillary uses within the theatre entry foyer for a cafe and at the the rear of the theatre a kitchen (for function use) and backstage area of the theatre.'

The Church Street function area and cafe/theatre space would be open to the public.

Alteration works and upgrades to the Regent building would maintain the building facade, entry foyer and fittings.

The 33 Short Street space would be turned into the bulk of a 34 room hotel over multiple storeys with 39 planned parking spaces.

'Revive the Regent' wins National Trust Heritage Award

Hotel parking and access would be from Short Street. The remaining rear area of the Regent Theatre would make up the rest part of the hotel.

The hotel is set to function 24-hours a day while the function centre could function from 7am to midnight, seven days a week if needed.

The DA describes that the two buildings would be connected, 'but at the same time read as a separate building.'

The plans for each of the floors as listed in the document:

Ground floor

First floor

Second floor

Third floor

These changes are said to revive the Regent Theatre space, bringing life 'back to the lobby and theatre auditorium of the building'.

A section titled 'Public Interest' elaborates on the idea of a rejuvenated space that would retain the dominant features of the building and facade while solving accommodation needs in the region.

The proposal is in the public interest as it provides upgrades to existing theatre building and provides additional accommodation to Mudgee where there is a demonstrated demand, and will not impact upon the streetscape character and not result in detrimental amenity impacts to neighbours.

The proposal does not involve or result in the expansion of business-related land uses into surrounding residential neighbourhoods. The proposal will result in three new commercial ops in the CBD to replace a previously unviable single use that has remained vacant for an extended period of time.

Revive the Regent renews push to 'save' historic Mudgee theatre

The proposal will retain the front facade of the theatre and many internal features, which is considered to be a dominant feature of the architectural historic character of the Mudgee commercial streetscape. This retention is in line with the heritage impact statement provided with the application, and is supported by the applicant's heritage consultant.

Noise concerns were raised with the 2017 DA regarding the proposed rooftop bar, car park and 'car stacker'. However the revised proposal solves each of these issues by scrapping the rooftop bar, underground car park and car stacker from the plan.

The Mudgee Guardian put the call out on social media for thoughts from community members who had seen the DA and whether they support or oppose the modifications.

Revive the Regent creator, Simone Sheridan said she holds concerns over several elements of the modified DA.

"The current proposal does not meet the objectives for heritage conservation under Clause 5.10 of the Mid-Western Regional LEP 2012 which are:

(a) to conserve the environmental heritage of Mid-Western Regional, and

(b) to conserve the heritage significance of heritage items and heritage conservation areas, including associated fabric, settings and views," she wrote.

"Of huge concern is also the rezoning of residential area to commercial. The house in Short street should not be demolished and rezoned for commercial use.

"The removal of the stage renders the theatre useless in terms of producing quality shows. The proposed replaced stage is dismal in comparison to what is already there."

Hopes for a Regent return are still alive

"Better than it rotting away and falling down," Laura Kenny wrote.

In a lengthy comment, Charmaine Lynch expressed her opposition to the DA.

"The 'amended DA' on the Regent theatre is giving the illusion to the people of Mudgee that the developer is being sympathetic to the building and its history but that is all it is an "illusion"," she wrote.

"They're simply destroying the main aspect of the theatre by levelling the floor, turning the stage (the heart of the theatre and what its all about) into a kitchen and storeroom."

The document is on public exhibition until August 30 and anyone is free to submit their feedback to Council until that time for consideration.