The developers of a controversial retirement village in Wanaka's Meadowstone subdivision say the project will "absolutely" proceed after gaining Environment Court approval last month, although they have no time frame for construction.
Stoney Creek Village Ltd (SCVL) appealed to the Environment Court against a Queenstown Lakes District Council decision issued in 2010 refusing consent for the company's retirement village development. The decision identified potential flood hazards from Stoney Creek and the buildings' "bulk and density" as factors in declining the application.
Residents had campaigned against SCVL's proposal - originally a 97-unit retirement village but later amended to 85 units - on the 1.84ha site on Mt Aspiring Rd, at the entrance to Meadowstone.
The Environment Court upheld the company's appeal following a mediation process, and the final plans - agreed on by all the parties involved - are for 73 residential units, with significant modifications to the buildings' style, architecture and height.
When asked if the development would still go ahead following its protracted approval process, Auckland-based SCVL director Allen Peters said "at this stage absolutely", although he had "no idea" when work might start at the site.
"We've got quite a lot of fine-tuning and planning to do in terms of the detail."
Mr Peters said the new-look plans were "very different" to those first proposed.
"I think they're very good. I think it's worked well for all parties. There was a lot of consultation that went on in the finish and I think the outcome's really quite positive."
While there had been a lot of objectors to the development, Mr Peters believed it would be a "very significant project" for Wanaka.
"It will take a number of years to do because it will be built over three or four stages, so that's a lot of accommodation to sell."
