An 11-year battle over a piece of land in Queenstown may finally be over.
On Monday, the eve of a High Court hearing to determine an appeal by Remarkables Park Ltd over 16ha of land known as Lot 6, the development company withdrew its appeal, paving the way for it and Queenstown Airport to enter price negotiations.
The appeal had related to an Environment Court decision in March to approve Queenstown Airport Corporation’s ‘‘notice to take’’ the land under the Public Works Act.
It followed earlier decisions of the Environment Court and High Court, which upheld the airport designation of the land running along the airport’s southern boundary.
Queenstown Airport chief executive Colin Keel said the withdrawal of the appeal meant both parties could ‘‘progress the acquisition of Lot 6 by QAC to the final stage of valuation’’.
The land was originally owned by the airport company but was later exchanged with the development company for land to the north. In 2008, the airport sought for it to be returned to enable expansion.
Remarkables Park director Alastair Porter said yesterday the company was ‘‘very happy’’ it was able to reach agreement on the ‘‘last few remaining issues’’.
‘‘That enabled us to withdraw our appeal to the High Court and we look forward to having a discussion with QAC about the value of the land that they want to acquire.’’
The parties could either agree on a price through a negotiated settlement outside the Public Works Act, or have the compensation payable be determined by the Land Valuation Tribunal.
