Proposed changes to Barangaroo to accommodate James Packer's $1.5 billion hotel, casino and apartment complex have been defended by developer Lend Lease, which argues they offer significant public benefit.

The company has issued a 434-page response to submissions to its amended concept plan for Barangaroo South, known as modification 8, which seeks to bring the hotel approved over the harbour in 2010 back onto land and more than double its size.

Lend Lease disputes claims the proposed revisions offer no added benefit to the public. Credit:Wilkinson Eyre Architects

The proposed reworking of the precinct has been panned by critics such as the City of Sydney, which argued the massive increase in development across the site had not been matched by any corresponding increase in public benefit or amenity.

But Lend Lease responds that the changes offer "significant public benefits", including the tourism and employment opportunities from Mr Packer's Crown development.