Hot pools and day spa for Picton foreshore?

it was going to go,’’ he said.

‘‘Obviously from a business point of view, we work out of there and it’s our livelihood.

‘‘We work pretty hard to make it an attractive destination for locals and tourists. We get a lot of people coming through from Blenheim who say there’s nothing like this anywhere else in Marlborough.

‘‘I think the foreshore should remain a very green area that encourages people to come here for its beauty and family facilities.’’

Sounds councillor David Oddie said the proposal took the council ‘‘a bit by surprise’’.

‘‘I think the spas are popular in other areas ...Tekapo has been a huge success. I think Picton would greatly benefit if people stopped here for the evening,’’ he said.

‘‘There will be people who will applaud it and the other side are people who are upset that the proposal will sit on a prime spot on the foreshore, and on top of a business which has been popular in Picton for quite a number of years,’’ Oddie said.

Fellow Sounds councillor Nadine Taylor said the proposal challenged the community to think about its vision for Picton foreshore. ‘‘It’s just an idea and it’s got a long way to go before it goes beyond that. I think any investment into Picton in terms of a new facility or a new attraction, if it’s well done and in an appropriate location, can only be good for the town.’’

In 2014, a management plan was created for Picton foreshore, which included leaving at least 40 per cent as ‘‘open green space’’.

The council would consult the Picton community when the plan came up for review next year.