Camping ground objector reaches agreement

Glenorchy controversial camping ground looks set to proceed following the resolution of an appeal in the Environment Court at Queenstown yesterday.

Judge Jon Jackson was set to hear an appeal by Glenorchy resident Nikki Gladding against the proposal by United States philanthropists Paul and Debbi Brainerd before their lawyer Mike Holm raised a proposal to potentially settle the matter.

The Brainerds plan to establish the multimillion-dollar development on a 3ha site next to conservation land.

The development would cater for up to 140 guests in cabins, tents and camper van sites.

At the heart of Ms Gladding's appeal was proposed landscaping for a ''beautification strip'', which included fencing, and the setback of cabins, which she believed contravened rules in the Queenstown Lakes District Council's district plan requiring them to be 5m from the boundary.

Ms Gladding also took issue with fencing around the public reserve to provide a frontage for the cabins and the proposed plantings - particularly beech trees.

Included in Mr Holm's suggestions were to delete existing conditions relating to landscaping - including fencing - from the resource consent, and carry out further consultation between the parties and the Glenorchy community to finish a concept plan.

Mr Holm said the applicant was prepared to compromise on the setback and suggested a setback of 2m from the edge of the Local Purpose Reserve for five cabins.

''Any further increase in the setback would have serious consequences for the effective and efficient use of the land for the activities approved, in particular the land available for camper vans, tent sites and other environment infrastructure,'' he said.

After a half hour adjournment Ms Gladding said she was prepared to accept a proposed resolution in relation to the landscaping.

However, she was ''still uncomfortable'' with the 2m setback proposed.

''I had said we'd meet them halfway at 2.5m, but we're on a sticking point,'' she said.

Judge Jackson said while he was prepared to hear arguments over the setback, he warned Ms Gladding, who was representing herself, the matter was ''a bit skewed against you''.

''It's not fatally skewed against you [but] it's an expert evidence matter ... and you're pushing it uphill.''

Following another adjournment, Ms Gladding told Judge Jackson she was ''going to take the offer''.

He suggested she submit on the council's proposed district plan to ensure the legal difficulties the community had encountered in terms of the contravention between the district plan setback rules and the proposal did not recur.

He also suggested the council ''keep an eye'' on the overall streetscape of the town.

''I think it's important - Glenorchy is a pretty special little place - that the council keeps an eye on the bigger view for Oban St when the council is going through the [district plan] process.''

Judge Jackson said he would try to issue an order by 5pm tomorrow.

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