Many oppose 840house development

AN analysis of submissions on River Terrace Developments Ltd’s application for a private plan change allowing an 840house development near Cromwell shows overwhelming opposition to the proposal.

The Central Otago District Council last week released its analysis of the 417 submissions received to Plan Change 13.

The request is to rezone 49.8ha of land on the corner of State Highway 6 and Sandflat Rd, opposite the Highlands Motorsport Park and near the Central Motor Speedway, to develop houses, a retirement village, cafes, restaurants, shops, a medical centre and possibly a school.

The council analysis shows 410 of the submissions oppose the application.

Opponents are concerned about the effect of the development and say it would be an inappropriate use of potentially valuable rural land.

Many submitters did not want a ‘‘satellite’’ town near Cromwell, saying it would further fragment residential Cromwell.

Submitter Ian Begg said a new town would have ‘‘no physical or cultural connection to Cromwell and is destined to (and intended to be) a dormitory town for Queenstown. Other areas at Cromwell . . . should be fully developed and largely sold prior to this plan change’’.

Opposing submissions have come from Highlands, Central Motor Speedway, Central Otago Motorsport and Motorsport New Zealand, as well as Horticulture New Zealand and various orchardists and vineyard and winery owners.

Further submissions supporting or opposing submissions already made may be made by any person representing a relevant aspect of public interest, or any person who has a greater interest in the plan change than the general public, by October 29.