Changes not sufficient to win support

An aerial view of the property of Annabel Langbein and husband Ted Hewetson, above Dublin Bay,...
An aerial view of the property of Annabel Langbein and husband Ted Hewetson, above Dublin Bay, Lake Wanaka. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.
Celebrity cook Annabel Langbein has changed her plans for her Dublin Bay property, near Wanaka, but has still not done enough to satisfy Queenstown Lakes District Council planners.

Ms Langbein has dropped a proposal to subdivide her land into two lots, of 1.61ha and 7.61ha, and has made other changes to her resource consent application.

However, council planner Nigel Bryce is still recommending independent commissioners Denis Nugent and Bob Nixon refuse consent.

A hearing is due to be held in Wanaka today.

The property is zoned rural and lies within an outstanding natural landscape.

An application by Ms Langbein and her husband Ted Hewetson to subdivide the land, establish a residential building platform around a cottage and film studio and build two sheds and a garage was due to be heard in November.

Annabel Langbein.
Annabel Langbein.
However, the hearing was adjourned to allow the applicants to respond to Mr Bryce's recommendation the application be refused because it represented "inappropriate subdivision and development'' of an outstanding natural landscape.

"Taken as a whole, the proposed development would contribute further to its degradation,'' Mr Bryce said in his report at the time.

He considered the site had ‘‘already eclipsed'' its ability to absorb development and the cumulative effects of further development would be "adverse and significant''.

Mr Bryce noted the site had undergone extensive development as a large rural garden "more lately in contravention'' of the conditions of a previous consent.

He considered development would have an adverse effect on the visual amenity for the public using the foreshore reserve, the beach and the lake.

He agreed with the council's chief landscape architect, Dr Marion Read, the site could only "absorb'' one residential use before "domesticating activities'', such as vehicles, gardens, outdoor living areas, furniture and structures, would have a "significant adverse effect'' on the character of the area.

The couple's amended application deletes the proposed residential platform and the subdivision and volunteers a list of landscaping conditions.

Mr Bryce said the revisions went "some way to addressing the issues raised''.

"However, I do not believe that the amended application is able to demonstrate that the proposal is able to adequately avoid, remedy or mitigate the adverse effects on the environment.

"As such, in its current form, I recommend that the application be refused.''

A report for the applicant by consultant resource management planner Brett Giddens argues use of the property in television filming is a relevant consideration for the commissioners.

"What strikes me as unique about the applicants' situation is that they are well-known locally, nationally and internationally for the use of this property for filming associated with culinary television, and that the property features widely in this activity.

"In fact, that activity is the applicants' livelihood.

"This has weighed heavily on my consideration when evaluating the types of permitted activities that could be, and have been, undertaken on the property.''

He considered the applicants' use of the property had gained Wanaka "world-wide recognition''.

"This in my opinion is a positive effect that is quite unique to this proposal and site.

"While not necessarily having direct importance under this assessment criteria, it does in my opinion have importance under Part 2 of the Resource Management Act.''

Part 2 of the Act promotes "sustainable management'' of natural and physical resources "in a way, or at a rate, which enables people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural wellbeing ...''

The Upper Clutha Environmental Protection Society continues to oppose the application.

mark.price@odt.co.nz

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