A new residential subdivision on the outskirts of Mosgiel, has won approval from the Dunedin City Council.
Morclarke Developments (2009) Ltd, headed by director and property developer Lloyd Morshuis, has been granted resource consent by the council for the development at 183 Wingatui Rd.
The project involves the 1.46ha site being divided into 19 separate sections, ranging in size from 532sq m to 1098sq m, a consent application by Paterson Pitts Partners Ltd director Leon Hallett, for Mr Morshuis, states.
It would also include a public walkway linking to the nearby Silversprings development, land for road-widening and a new cul-de-sac providing vehicle access to many of the homes, the application said.
The intention was for a single-stage development offering mainly house and land packages to the local residential market, it said.
The development would be on rural land, meaning the subdivision breached district plan rules despite being surrounded by newly rezoned residential developments.
However, the application suggested applying the residential zoning rules already in force for areas surrounding the site instead, which would be "consistent with all other development in the immediate area".
The notified consent application attracted four submissions - one of them opposed - and was considered on August 24 by the council's hearings committee, comprising chairman Cr Andrew Noone, Crs Jinty MacTavish and Kate Wilson, and Mosgiel Taieri Community Board member Bill Feather. Non-public deliberations were concluded on August 31, and a decision granting consent released on September 14. The written decision, signed by Cr Noone, said the impact of the development would be minor.
That was despite the committee believing the site's existing rural character - including hedging, paddocks, farm fencing and gates - provided a "natural soft edge" between the area's rural and nearby residential zones.
However, the residential development now surrounding the rural site meant it was "inevitable" the site would follow in being developed for residential use, the decision said.
The council's plan change 15, enabling the residential expansion of Mosgiel, had seen land around the site rezoned, leaving behind an "isolated pocket" of rural land that was also "clearly intended" to be used for residential purposes.
The committee therefore granted consent, while asking for "appropriate landscaping" for sections of the subdivision facing Wingatui Rd "to ensure the natural soft edge ... is conserved".
The applicant or submitters had 15 working days from receiving the decision to lodge an appeal. Mr Morshuis could not be reached for comment.
