Development plans for Hillend Station will once again be scrutinised by a Queenstown Lakes District Council hearing in Wanaka today.
Lakes Environmental planner Vanessa Addy has recommended the proposal be allowed to proceed as the changes are no more than minor and relate to design, site and vegetation controls being imposed on the development.
The 2665ha high-country station is on the outskirts of Wanaka, in the Cardrona Valley.
It includes much of the eastern face of Mt Alpha and valley floor accessed from Cardrona Valley Rd.
Former owner Infinity Investment Group obtained planning consent for two development options before selling the farm several years ago to JIT Hillend Investment Ltd, a company associated with Trade Me founder Sam Morgan.
The new owner has returned to the first consented development option developed by Infinity, which would result in a 37-lot subdivision.
The company has subsequently obtained a High Court declaration to determine the location of residential building platforms and resource consent for boundary adjustments to give effect to that declaration.
The application being heard today is being heard on a limited notification basis by independent commissioners Jane Taylor, of Queenstown, and Lyal Cocks, of Wanaka.
The only people who received notification were two neighbours, Ron and Claudia McAulay of 63 Studholme Rd, who made a submission.
They are seeking amendments to address their concerns or refusal of the consent.
Their concerns include the effects of building platforms on lots 3 and 4 along their southwestern boundary, and the high visibility of the development from their property.
Ms Addy said the proposal had the potential to cause adverse visual effects but, given the nature of the circumstances, including its consented baseline and the controls offered by the applicant, the adverse effects would be less than minor.
