Approval has been given for a four-lot subdivision at Criffel Deer Farm near Wanaka, despite a Lakes Environmental recommendation consent for the development be refused.
Following a hearing in March, commissioners Jane Taylor and Sally Middleton considered a proposal by Michael and Caroline Garnham, of Criffel Deer Ltd, to subdivide 11.6ha of land zoned rural general at Criffel Deer Farm on the north side of Mt Barker Rd and create two 1000sq m residential building platforms on two of the four new lots.
Lakes Environmental planner Richard Campion recommended consent be refused because the proposal would have "adverse character and amenity effects and cumulative adverse effects on landscape character".
However, Criffel Deer Ltd subsequently volunteered modifications to the proposal, including reducing the size of the two building platforms to 750sq m and 710sq m to increase the separation between those lots.
While the commissioners conceded there was "some substance" in Lakes Environmental senior landscape architect Robin Rawson's concern about the spread of domestication, the modifications offered by the applicant had "satisfactorily addressed those concerns".
The site already had a degree of residential activity and human habitation from farm buildings that detracted from rural character and amenity values. The residential activity would be accommodated within that existing node of development "without significant expansion or additional effects".
The subdivision's two balance lots would be amalgamated with other property and remain limited to rural uses, so any future residential development within the other two lots "has effectively been contained".
Conditions of consent outlined in the commissioners' decision included a landscape plan which protects the roadside hedge border must accompany any application for a building on each of the platforms; all buildings must be located within the building platforms and adhere to strict design controls; and land areas to the north of the building platforms and the fourth lot remain in rural use.
