Plans in place for Raglan

A Raglan housing development has residents concerned about the pressure it could have on existing infrastructure in the town.

Construction is due to start this year on the infrastructure needed for a residential development on the Rangitahi peninsular, Sophie Peacocke, who is part of the projects sales and marketing team, has said.

The large farm in western Raglan has been divided into sites, some sections have already been sold.

With it will come population growth for the small town. Some homes might be just for holiday-makers, some have already been secured by current Raglan residents, but some will be new residents looking at escaping the rat-race. Peacocke says growth will be slow. Stage one will see about 90 homes built by 2020. The rest, up to 400 more, will take up to 20 years.

The project is family focused, and will include footpaths leading around the neighbourhoods and across the bridge - an easy walk to school.

Raglan Chamber of Commerce Geoff Kelly said the one lane bridge would need to be transformed into two lanes as the population began to expand. Parking was also a major concern, he said.

He said he would like the council to be more proactive in the town’s long term plans.

Waikato District mayor Allan Sanson said the project’s predicted completion date of 20 years would give the council time to make adjustments. He said there had previously been discussion around what to do about the one-way bridge, and the option of a second bridge but there were no plans to do anything at this stage.