Takaka development gets green light
A new subdivision near Takaka has been given the green light.
Golden Bay developers Rose and Philip Windle are rejoicing at news that their 25-lot subdivision off Park Avenue, on farmland they own near the recreation centre, has finally been approved.
The long-awaited project is part of the Windles’ push to see more low-cost housing development around the township for young families and the elderly.
Housing has been a major concern for Golden Bay residents, with many being priced out of the real estate market. There is also a rental crisis, and Takaka has seen very little housing development opportunities recently.
Philip Windle said he was pleased for residents that Takaka would now see growth.
The Windles said they saw it as an ideal development opportunity, close to schools and above the floodplain, with wastewater reticulation connections, and water and power already on site.
They have tried to keep development costs as low as possible so sections are affordable. ‘‘We aren’t looking to make any money out of this, we’re doing it for Golden Bay,’’ Philip Windle said.
The sections will be between 400 and 1500 square metres, and the Windles hope they will be structurally developed by the end of summer 2019. They were unable to comment on price estimates yet.
There had already been about a dozen inquiries from residents both young and old interested in sections, Rose Windle said.
Tasman district councillor Paul Sangster said the subdivision was the most affordable Takaka could get.
‘‘The mussel industry that we have here is only going to grow, and we’re going to need more people living in the bay to live and work, so we need housing options.’’
Golden Bay Builders owner Steve Chamberlain said builders were pleased, as the Bay’s building sector would struggle without more sections to build on in Takaka.
During public consultation, the application received some opposition from neighbours in Park Ave, due to concerns about road safety and around existing stormwater issues being exacerbated by the proposed subdivision. This resulted in an amended stormwater proposal and design, including stormwater being redirected across the Windles’ farmland.
Neighbour Russel Smith, who opposed the subdivision, said he was not happy the development didn’t include a walkway into Takaka township, as he thought it should be a part of the council’s development policy.