A Bannockburn couple wanting to operate a small motorhome park on their property believe it may be part of the solution to Cromwell's only holiday park being turned into a subdivision.
The Central Otago District Council's hearings panel heard yesterday an application from Bill and Jenny Scott to establish and manage a motorhome park on Quartzville Rd in Bannockburn.
The panel was chaired by Neil Gillespie, with commissioners Martin McPherson and Terry Emmitt.
Mrs Scott told the Otago Daily Times she and her husband had travelled in camper vans around New Zealand and Australia and wanted to give back to travellers in Bannockburn, especially older ''grey nomads''.
''We're retired and we need something to do and we want to meet people - we're grey nomads ourselves.''
They had planned to build the park for about a year, partly because the Top 10 Holiday Park in Cromwell was closing to make way for a subdivision project.
Their park would have panoramic views of the Cromwell basin. It would operate from October to April.
At the hearings panel, the couple said they would only allow a maximum of 10 self-contained vehicles at the site.
The site would have access to the town water supply but not sewerage, as it was expensive, the Scotts said.
To dump sewage, campers would have to travel to a dumping station on Richards Beach Rd, 7km from the site near Bannockburn Rd, by the southern entrance to Cromwell.
Mrs Smith assured the panel there would be no freedom camping - people would pay to camp at their park.
They would offer a discount for members of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association.
No pets or children would be allowed at the park.
Central Otago District Council planning consultant David Whitney recommended the panel grant the consent.
In a report presented to the panel, Mr Whitney said although there could be adverse effects to the environment because of the view of motorhomes from neighbouring properties, these would be minor.
He said a 1.5-metre earth bund should be established on the north, west and south areas of the park, to mitigate visual problems.
One submission was made by Bannockburn resident Cairine MacLeod, which was against the park.
Mrs MacLeod's neighbour Ruth Moorhouse spoke on her behalf at the hearing.
Mrs Moorhouse called for consent to be refused because of adverse environmental effects.
''The open natural character ... is significant to Bannockburn. Adjacent neighbours can look down on the motorhomes.''
Mrs Moorhouse also said a proposed ''happy hour'' could be noisy if it was run for seven nights a week.
But Mr Scott assured the panel the happy hour would not run all week and the noise would only be as much as in the council chambers during the panel meeting.
The Scotts had lived at the property for about 15 years.
The hearings panel reserved its decision.
