Bunnings New Zealand is reviewing its options after commissioners refused to grant consent for its Queenstown store.
Commissioners Dr Lee Beattie, Jan Caunter and Gina Sweetman found, overall, the proposed retail store at Frankton Flats would result in more than minor adverse effects and would be contrary to objectives and policies in the operative and proposed district plan.
Bunnings New Zealand general manager Toby Lawrence said the company was disappointed with the decision, but would take the feedback on board.
‘‘We remain committed to bringing jobs and investment to the local Queenstown community,’’ he said.
Four submissions were received on the proposal, all in opposition. Concerns included the level of signage proposed, the height and bulk of the building and that it would undermine the planning approach taken through the district plan for the area.
Under the district plan, the land where Bunnings had
proposed the store could not be used for retail, unless it was ‘‘ancillary to the primary land use’’, the commissioners said.
‘‘[Bunnings New Zealand national property development manager Brett] Moody told us that Remarkables Park was not as attractive, as it is hard to access, and that Bunnings sought to be in a visible location.
‘‘We concur with the applicant that there are limited options within Queenstown where a Bunnings could establish and operate. However, our premise should not be that
just because it may not be
able to easily locate elsewhere, that it should be able to locate on this site or in the activity area E1 sub zone.’’
The commissioners found urban design, landscape, visual and signage effects were more than minor and, further, Bunnings constituted a ‘‘retail activity’’ and was therefore excluded from the sub zone.
