Concession for Holcim opponents

Residents in a rural residential subdivision close to a cement plant Holcim (NZ) Ltd wants to build in the Waiareka Valley have won a small victory in the Environment Court, in the form of a condition for increased visual screening of the proposed plant.

The court found in favour of Holcim in a decision released on Monday, rejecting an appeal by the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society.

Yesterday, two of the residents who gave evidence against the plant during the court's hearing in Oamaru earlier this year were waiting to read the decision and hear whether Holcim would decide to build the $400 million plant.

Holcim will evaluate the project now the court decision has been released and a final decision on whether the plant will be built is expected later next year, from its parent company in Switzerland.

Graeme Sutherland, who lives in Kia Ora Rd and opposed the plant, said yesterday there was really nothing further that could be done.

"Now it's a wait-and-see game," he said.

Val Clarke, who lives in Springhill Rd, said she could not comment until she had seen the decision.

She told the court she "vigorously opposed" a large industrial development in a predominantly rural area.

In its decision, the court said it was clear residents on Kia Ora Rd would find their outlook to the northeast "significantly industrialised". It accepted amenity values would be reduced in varying degrees, but said no evidence had been produced which showed to what extent.

However, it said the effect would be reduced if Holcim provided additional visual screening to what it proposed on affected properties in Kia Ora Rd, where residents consented to that.

It placed a condition in its decision to that effect.

- david.bruce@odt.co.nz