One project canned, two await consent

Alan Worthington
Alan Worthington
Two contentious plans for development in Dunedin remain unresolved, as the resource consent process is negotiated; and a third development has been canned.

A proposal to close Lovelock Ave to make it part of the Botanic Garden, and Prista Apartments' plan to demolish a row of pre-1900 buildings just south of Stafford St and one building in Stafford St, are both still awaiting a decision.

Each plan attracted opposition at hearings last year.

Botanic Garden managers want to realign Lovelock Ave to allow more room for the Rhododendron Dell, allow relocation of propagation houses and administration buildings, and deal with safety issues related to the road; a project supported by the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden.

Many Opoho residents angrily opposed the plan, saying a proposed new road would be too steep, too frosty in winter, and too prone to sunstrike.

A hearing began last year, and resource consent commissioners met in March to gather more information before adjourning the meeting.

Dunedin City Council resource consents manager, Alan Worthington, said that was where the matter stood, with no decision yet made.

Prista Apartments' plan for its Princes St buildings attracted opposition from heritage groups, and at a hearing in December, developer Luke Dirkzwager was taken to task for not producing a heritage report.

Mr Worthington said the matter was on hold until a heritage and structure report was produced.

Mr Dirkzwager said he was still "definitely" going ahead with the project, and expected to get documents to the council in the next two weeks.

RM Designs was granted consent for a restaurant, cafe and bar in the former Roslyn fire station last year, but Brent George, a resident of City Rd, appealed to the Environment Court.

Planning consultant Keith Hovell, who acted for Mr George, said the applicant withdrew last month, before mediation was due to start.

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement