The Environment Court has granted resource consent for Topher Richwhite and Bridget Thackwray’s "Eco-Cave" experience, on land off Gorge Rd, after they amended key elements of the proposal.
Mr Richwhite said they were "really pleased" to have consent, and were now focused on preparing building and engineering consent applications, and working with their team of designers and landscape architects.
They planned to start earthworks on the site early next year, for an anticipated opening of late 2027 or early 2028.
They were also buoyed by the launch last week of their first glowworm attraction, Redwoods Glowworms, in Rotorua, he said.
Redwoods Glowworms had already had more than 2000 visitors and received "very positive" feedback.
"With the Rotorua cave operational, it gives us huge confidence in the years of science and engineering developments behind the project."
Through their company, Faraway Entertainment Ltd, the couple applied for consent in 2023 to establish and operate the Eco-Cave attraction about 2km from the town centre.
They proposed a two-lot freehold subdivision to carve off a 7000sqm slice of the land for the man-made cave and huts for ticketing and bathrooms, while the rest of the 119ha site would be kept in its current state.
However, independent commissioners Wendy Baker and Jane Sinclair declined the application in May, citing "serious concerns" about a freehold subdivision.
After appealing the decision to the court, alleging errors in the commissioners’ decision, Faraway amended its proposal to a leasehold subdivision.
It also made a legal undertaking to surrender the lease if Eco-Cave ceased to operate for more than 12 months.
It also undertook to establish a "landscape restoration area", to remove wilding trees and carry out ongoing wilding control and native tree planting.
Mr Richwhite said while the planning process had "required patience" and considerable expense, they had overcome bigger hurdles on the scientific and engineering side of the project.
