Developers shift focus to houses

The developers of Blenheim’s Westwood business park will next focus on a neighbouring residential subdivision before any further commercial development.

The $30 million Westwood complex which is home to Pak ’n Save, Kmart and Bunnings Warehouse, neighbours a residential area which was developed by the same company, Outer Limits.

Last month Outer Limits director Phil Robinson applied for consent to close access from the Westwood business park to Rose and Rene streets.

While there had never been proper access from the business park to either street, roads connecting the two were proposed in the original subdivision plan.

‘‘There’s some old easements that gave access that are no longer needed because of the roads that will be built in the coming year or two – so it’s tidying things up,’’ Robinson said.

He said the Westwood residential subdivision, north of the business area, was Outer Limits’ first priority, before they would look to expand commercially.

Robinson confirmed the open green space at the business park complex had been earmarked for commercial development, but that would be ‘‘down the line’’.

‘‘We have to complete the subdivision and then work out what opportunities are out there – but there’s nothing happening right away,’’ he said.

Blackmore Place subdivision resident Jocelyn Ellin believed there would be road access to the Westwood development.

‘‘In saying that, if there was a footbridge, we would accept not having a road,’’ Ellin said. ‘‘It’s just that turning right onto Middle Renwick Rd can be difficult sometimes.’’

She said it had taken a while for the subdivision to represent the original artist impression.

Neighbour Craig Chapman said he was happy not to have road access to Westwood and with how the Blackmore Place development was going.

‘‘I would like to see the subdivision [Rene St] get off the ground, Marlborough needs the housing,’’ Chapman said.

Blackmore Place resident Murray Milmine said he was happy with how the development for the subdivision was progressing.

‘‘It has been progressing slowly, but it is getting done,’’ Milmine said.

Eight townhouses, with two already under way, were to be built in the Blackmore subdivision with prices ranging from $770,000 to $870,000.