Precedent claimed in 3-lot proposal

Julian Haworth
Julian Haworth
Proposed subdivision on a Faulks Rd property in Wanaka would give the land a rural residential landscape rather than retain its pastoral landscape character, a council planner and landscape architect say.

Jared and Amanda Nichol are seeking resource consent to subdivide their 3.25ha property into three lots and establish building platforms of 1000sqm on each one.

There is already a building on one lot.

Queenstown Lakes District Council reporting planner Andrew Woodford has recommended the application be declined.

At a hearing in Wanaka before commissioners Wendy Baker and Bob Nix recently, Mr Woodford said he was comfortable with the applicants having a building platform on the second lot, but maintained he did not support any building on lot three.

Counsel for the applicants Michael Walker noted two key points had been changed from the original application.

The proposed building platforms had been limited to 600sqm and curtilage zoning around each platform was also volunteered.

Mr Walker submitted Mr Woodford and landscape architect Richard Denney had erred in their evaluations of the actual landscape on site and as a result had reached incorrect conclusions as to the effects of the proposal.

The applicant provided evidence the proposed building lots would not have any major effect on the visual amenity landscape, as they would join a cluster of residential dwellings on surrounding neighbouring properties.

Submitter Julian Haworth, of the Upper Clutha Environmental Society, believed granting a resource consent for this property would set a precedent across the Upper Clutha Basin.

Mr Haworth said there was nothing unique about the property. A successful application would lead to other property owners in the area taking similar action and lead it to quickly become more like a rural residential area.

Mr Denney believed the property had a pastoral landscape character and the proposed development would intensify the rural residential character and have significant effect on the landscape.

The commissioners said they were unlikely to reach a decision before Christmas.

sean.nugent@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement