The redevelopment of two former wool stores into residential apartments would make better use of existing buildings, improve their appearance and bring new life to the Oamaru Harbour area, an interim decision released by the Environment Court says.
The Waitaki District Council granted land use consent for Nigel and Jennifer de Geest's proposed apartment development in December 2006.
The decision was appealed to the Environment Court by the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust.
In an interim decision released this week, Judge Fred McElrea and commissioners David Kernohan and Dr Diane Menzies concluded granting consent would further the sustainable management of the natural and physical resources in the district provided a satisfactory landscape plan was forthcoming and other conditions of consent were met.
They believed the development was, visually, a ‘‘considerable improvement'' on what was there at present.
They described the existing concrete block buildings as ‘‘lumpish and bland'' in appearance.
They accepted there would be some change in the character of the historic area by introducing a multi-unit residential development.
The extent of the change would, however, be greatly limited by the use of existing structures, and by retaining the bulk and, in some respects, appearance of industrial buildings.
The development should not be seen as a precedent for the establishment of new residential buildings on vacant land.
The decision was focused on the benefits of using an existing resource and, in the process, improving both the buildings and historic harbour area.
There was no reason why public access to the penguin colony viewing facilities or the general use and enjoyment of the harbour environment should be adversely affected.
In relation to costs, their tentative view was that costs should ‘‘lie where they fall''. There had been successes on both sides.
Any advantage that successful applicants sometimes have must be offset against the many failures of the applicants, or their advisers, to put the matter properly before the court.
When contacted, Mr de Geest did not want to comment on the interim decision.
Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust chairman Ken Mitchell said he was looking forward to the judge's full and thorough direction in his deliberations.
