Two consent hearings required

TWO Arrowtown proposals will be subject to resource consent hearings next year.

A hearing for the Olive Leaf Centre Trust’s proposed multipurpose facility, beside the historical St Patrick’s Church in Arrowtown, is likely to be held in February.

The trust sought land use consent to enable the construction of the building, to be funded by donation, which would primarily serve as a church hall.

The roof of the building, designed by architect Fred Brandenburg, would be sunk into the ground, shaped like an olive leaf and clad in stone.

An internal spiral staircase would lead to a wall of remembrance, glasswalled internal garden, fed with water flowing from the roof’s ‘‘stem’’, and builtin seating alcoves.

Some accommodation was also proposed, primarily for visiting clergy, and spaces would be provided for mentoring and support.

A total of 362 submissions were received by the Queenstown Lakes District Council through the public notification process — 214, or almost 60%, were in support, 147 were opposed and one indicated qualified support.

Meanwhile, no date has been set for a resource consent hearing to determine whether or not consent should be granted for a 13lot subdivision in McDonnell Rd in Arrowtown.

Developer John Guthrie, Arrowtown realtor Richard Newman, Banco Trustees Ltd and McCulloch Trustees 2004 Ltd sought consent to subdivide a 6.5ha site, which adjoins The Hills golf course and is opposite Arrowtown’s urban growth boundary.

The applicant planned to create 12 residential building platforms, ranging in size from 3845sq m to 5540sq m.

The building is proposed to be constructed in three stages and a lapsing date of 10 years to give effect to the subdivision, if approved, is sought.

The application attracted 18 submissions — all in opposition.

Council communications and marketing adviser Sam White said the applicant had ‘‘requested a hearing be held in the New Year and we are waiting on their preferred dates’’.