The complex, due for completion later this year, includes a Safeway supermarket and five speciality shops at the Beaconsfield Plaza on the Old Princes Highway.

Cr Brett Owen spoke at last week's council meeting, saying access from Beaconsfield-Emerald Road was "a must" and that the council had met with the owner in November 2007 for discussions.

A letter from the owner's lawyers advised "that he was willing to enter in negotiations to provide an access subject to the access being solely located on the gas easement at the northern end of the land".

However, in August 2008, through different lawyers, the hotel owner advised the developer he would not allow the use of his land for access, a council report stated.

"It's unfair that the hotel is not coming to the party. I urge the owner of the hotel to agree for this to happen," Cr Owen said.

Cr Collin Ross said motorists were forced to conduct a series of U-turns to enter and exit the shopping centre.

The owners of The Central Hotel could not be contacted before the Journal's deadline.