Lake Hayes Estate Ltd's bid for land-use consent to build a dozen residential units named "Waterfall Terrace" was publicly notified last week. If approved, the $4.8 million project could see four three-bedroom detached dwellings and eight two-bedroom units built on 1.1ha of land off Howards Dr.
Lake Hayes Estate Ltd managing director Mike Coburn, of Dunedin, said one of the frustrations of people in the district, particularly young families, was the cost of housing, which was driven by the cost of land. He said his proposal was a "genuine attempt to produce competitively priced dwellings".
"We have to create economical houses to a good standard in a good location for under $400,000 . . . If anyone does have concerns, they should either attend the hearings and voice [them] or listen to what's being planned."
Lake Hayes Community Association chairman Kevin Burdon said residents had been aware of the development and some were "not overly impressed" about the look of the proposal, he said.
"The entranceway off Howards Dr comes off a blind downhill curve and is quite dangerous, in our opinion. I've heard people claim that when they bought property, the area would be kept as a greenbelt."
Mr Coburn said the roading plan the company had submitted with the application had taken safety into consideration. The proposed site was a large area along an embankment and substantial landscaping was planned alongside the development, he said.
"If anything, it's going to enhance the area."
Consent was also sought for earthworks, buildings on site, access formation, parking and landscaping.
Stormwater would be connected to the existing network and the application featured confirmation on the availability of power and telecommunications to the subdivision.
If approval was granted, the developer would build one house at a time, beginning mid to late summer 2010.
• Public submissions to Lakes Environmental close on May 8.
