Planning permission has been renewed for two multi-storey office buildings in Hamilton.

The Development Applications Board (DAB) approved requests for the development of a seven-storey building in Brunswick Street and a six-storey development in Serpentine Road.

Applicant Citadel Properties, based at law offices Trott and Duncan, now has until December 5, 2011, to construct its office and condo complex at 20 Brunswick Street.

The DAB originally rejected the development due to its excessive height and that it did "not provide outdoor space for pedestrians or the occupants of a building".

However, the applicant appealed and this was upheld by former Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield, in December 2007. In applying to renew the planning permission, architects Botelho Wood pointed out there had been no objections to the original application.

They said the development would "help to promote the rejuvenation of the north side of Hamilton" and that it would not impinge on the Cathedral skyline.

The two-storey Meridian House will now be demolished to make way for the property, which will consist of five floors of offices and four two-bedroom apartments on the upper two storeys.

At 74 Serpentine Road, site of the Quickie Lickie Laundromat, owner Walter Cross wants to build a six-storey office block.

He was granted planning permission in December 2007 and with the renewal, will now have until December 19, 2011, to construct the property.

Meanwhile in Mill Reach Lane, Pembroke, the DAB has approved installation of renewable energy systems at the BAC warehouse. The development includes 18 studio apartments on the upper storeys.

Applicant Mill Creek Properties Ltd., wants to place ten solar panels on the building's south-facing sixth floor roof, for hot water collection.

A Sanyo solar photovoltaic power kit, consisting of two solar panels, will also be fitted to the elevator roof.

Both installations will have "minimal visual impact on neighbouring properties", according to a DAB report.

A Zephyr Air Dolphin GTO wind turbine is also to be installed on the north-west stair tower.

At Elbow Beach Hotel, the DAB has granted planning permission for a new canteen and storage building, a new canopy over the service area, and storm water retention works with two boreholes.

The work will be undertaken to the south-west of the hotel property, in the "back of house" area next to Café Lido.

An existing 372 square foot shed will be demolished to make way for a 785 sq ft staff canteen and storage building.

The proposed SKB canopy roof will cover the space between two sections of the building, covering 640 sq ft.