A Cromwell resident has altered building plans heavily opposed by his neighbours, but they say they have not had enough time to process them.
This week, the Central Otago District Council Hearings Panel heard an application for a subdivision and multi-unit development on an empty lot in an area called The Dunes next to the Cromwell Golf Club. The revised plans show a building with two units, one of which has a second storey, with a total area of 349sq m.
The applicant, Barry Scurr, wants to subdivide the lot into two in the future.
The application received nine opposing submissions from neighbours and one which was neutral.
New buildings in The Dunes must comply with a private design covenant.
Submitters argued a two-storey duplex did not, and was out of character with the "special amenity" of the area.
Some mentioned yard and height breaches as reasons the plan should not be accepted.
Council planning consultant David Whitney said the private arrangement of the covenant could not be considered by the panel, which was only assessing the impact of the potential height and yard breaches. In a report, he said the effects would be no greater than minor and recommended the application be accepted with 19 total conditions, he said.
On behalf of Mr Scurr, lawyer Peter Dymock said revised plans were sent to submitters last week that showed a "considerable change in the overall bulk" and lessened some breaches.
This was approved by Gemrock Design, which enforced the covenant, he said.
On behalf on submitters, Dunes resident Les Topping said he had only received the plans four days earlier and it was unfair to have to make comments "off the cuff".
"We need more time to review them as there have been significant changes. Although it’s fair to say many of them are improvements."
Panel member Neil Gillespie said it decided to continue based on the revised plans after considering hearing guidelines.
The panel reserved its decision.
