Consultation starts on application for new subdivision

Central Otago District Council planning manager David Campbell holds the 2199-page agenda for the...
Central Otago District Council planning manager David Campbell holds the 2199-page agenda for the upcoming Plan Change 13 hearing. The hearing will consider an application from River Terrace Developments Ltd for rezoning for a 840-house development opposite the Highlands Motorsport Park. PHOTO: PAM JONES
The consultation phase for a private plan change that would alter zoning to allow a major proposed lifestyle subdivision on the outskirts of Cromwell has begun.

Plan change 14 was advertised this week and submissions close on December 18.

NZ Cherry Corp (Leyser) LP Ltd sought to develop a 160-lot subdivision on 142ha of land on Ripponvale Rd, beside a multimillion-dollar 29ha cherry expansion.

It was the second significant private plan change proposed for the Cromwell district in just over a year. The hearing for plan change 13, to rezone land near the Highlands Motorsport Park corner to allow for an 800-house subdivision, was held earlier this year and the decision on that is still to come.

The application, from Town Planning Group on behalf of NZ Cherry Corp, is to rezone part of the 244ha Shannon Farm, which Cherry Corp bought earlier this year. Its proposed cherry expansion - beside its existing orchard - would double its cherry plantings in the Cromwell district.

At present, the land's rural resource area zoning allowed rural activities and allotments with a minimum of 2ha and average of 8ha, a report from Central Otago District Council planning manager David Campbell earlier this year said.

The land comprised grassland, shelter belts, orchards and farmland, and steeper gullies and slopes on the lower slopes of the Pisa Range. It contained an outstanding natural landscape and a significant amenity landscape.

NZ Cherry Corp wanted to establish a "rural lifestyle community" of up to 160 allotments between 2000sq m and 3ha, but was proposing to provide greater protection of the Pisa Range hill country areas and public access through that area for recreation purposes.

The application would be heard either by council commissioners, independent commissioners or a mix of both.

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