Allegations of injuries to animals, "incessant" traffic, as well as concerns about light and noise from the venue and potentially excessive dust from the gravel road have come to light as the Dunedin City Council considers an application to vary consent from Jo and Wayne Lindsay, the owners of Grandview Gardens in Currie Rd, near Outram.
Apart from seeking to increase the number of functions permitted at Grandview from 48 a year to up to 88, the Lindsays also seek to increase the number of guests able to attend functions from 100 to 120, and allow staff to remain on site after midnight to clean up and prepare for the next function.
They were willing to agree to conditions concerning traffic and dust management, as well as time restrictions on comings and goings for events, their lawyer Jan Caunter said.
After two days of hearings, the hearings committee of Crs Kate Wilson, Teresa Stevenson and Andrew Noone and Mosgiel-Taieri community board member Marton Dillon, is now considering its decision.
Three of the submissions on the application were opposed and one neutral.
Another affected party, Joy and Brian Flett, approved the proposed changes.
In an extensive submission, next-door neighbours David Marsh and Pauline Shefford said the venue had already destroyed the peace in the area and the proposed changes would have "extreme adverse effects" on them and the wider environment.
The proposed changes would "only acerbate [sic] the already unacceptable aspects of a town lifestyle" the Lindsays' function venue had already "forcibly" imposed on the rural lifestyle, and from which the couple had hoped to escape when they moved to the country, their submission said.
The way the venue had been run since it was established three years ago had caused them considerable stress-related health problems, they said.
Neighbour Karen Warrington said excessive dust issues would be made worse by the possible increase in traffic and feared for her safety and security with so many strangers in the neighbourhood, many of them drinking.
The application had created conflict in the neighbourhood that was tiring and upsetting, she said.
Greg and Kathryn Gray said the increased dust and traffic, not just the guests but people travelling for viewings, deliveries, rehearsals and set-up all day, was their main concern.
Yesterday, a dust expert engaged by the Lindsays told the committee there should not be any major concerns about dust as a result of the proposed changes, especially if proposed mitigation was put in place, including dust containment laid regularly on the road, 100m either side of neighbours' properties.
A 50kmh speed restriction could also help.
In her right of reply, Ms Caunter said many of the opponents' claims were "exaggerated, overstated, and untrue" and had no factual foundation.
The Lindsays were committed to encouraging travel to and from the venue by bus, and did so actively.
Any claims the Lindsays had breached their current consent conditions, other than as a result of a few minor misunderstandings, were not accepted, she said.
Mrs Lindsay had also felt she needed to respond in writing to some controversial comments from Mr Marsh about the effect of functions on stock, particularly deer, she said.
In writing, Mrs Lindsay described an event she alleged involved Mr Marsh intentionally disturbing deer owned by the Lindsays by banging on a fence. This had resulted in the death of one deer, from running into a fence, and injury to another, she said. The Lindsays no longer stocked deer fearful for of what might happen to them.
Mrs Lindsay said it was sad old friends had had to speak out against each other.
"It is really unfortunate things have come to this."
