Willowridge Developments Ltd has applied to the Queenstown Lakes District Council to establish a two-storey motel, with car parking, office and manager's residence, on land it owns at the corner of West Meadows Dr and Cardrona Valley Rd, in the West Meadows subdivision.
The proposed motel would be located within the rural residential zone of the Queenstown Lakes district plan, which provides for visitor accommodation.
Company director Allan Dippie said he had identified a ''bit of a niche'' in Wanaka for quality motel accommodation and had fielded a strong level of interest from potential operators wanting to run a motel business at the West Meadows site.
''I think you've got to be careful about where you pick it to be, but in terms of good-quality motel accommodation with spacious, modern units, there appears to be plenty of operators to own and run that business.
''I think it shows a bit of confidence in the little town.''
Cardrona Valley Rd was the ''perfect site'' for a new accommodation provider because it was a prominent location next to the main road between Queenstown and Wanaka.
''You wouldn't find a better site anywhere.''
Willowridge analysed the market carefully before submitting its resource consent application.
''We've looked at different types of accommodation and looked at the site and designed it around where we think the market lies.
''But we have been guided by people who have a lot of experience in running motels and accommodation so we haven't just relied on our own research.''
The motel would be located across the road from the Basecamp building, which houses the Lone Star Restaurant, Clip 'n Climb climbing centre and Ruby's Cinema and Bar.
''I think it's [motel] a very good use for the site ... it's actually probably quite a nice transition between West Meadows and the Basecamp facility.''
The accommodation would include family units, which was something that was important in Wanaka, Mr Dippie said.
The consent application states the proposal is consistent with the urban growth pattern of the Wanaka structure plan 2007 and within the inner growth boundary identified for Wanaka.
Among its many property developments, Willowridge has previously developed a boutique hotel in Dunedin and the Meadowstone Villas in its Meadowstone subdivision in Wanaka.
