The rural character of Crown Terrace would be destroyed if 20 houses were allowed to be built in the area, a resource consent hearing was told yesterday.
Royalburn Farming Company Ltd is seeking consent to subdivide more than 100ha at Crown Range Rd into 20 lots, each with a building platform.
Crown Terrace resident Jef Desbecker was the only submitter who spoke at a hearing, before independent commissioners Michael Parker and Gillian Mcleod.
He said on behalf of himself and his partner, Robina Bodle, their main contention was with the overall density and visibility of the proposed development from neighbouring properties and roads.
"We are not opposed to Royalburn developing some residential areas on their 1200-acre farm. However, with a current situation of 23 existing homes on the Crown Terrace, we feel 20 new sites is too many new dwellings to be concentrated in too small an area for the rural character to be retained," he said.
The commissioners adjourned the hearing to gather more information and so they could have a further site visit.
