Supermarket chain’s big plan
A supermarket chain is behind a plan to build a major Christchurch subdivision with 272 new homes, a supermarket, shopping area, parks, preschool, eateries and a covered swimming pool.
Supermarket operator Progressive Enterprises, owner of Countdown, wants to develop a 21-hectare site in Halswell through its Australian parent company Woolworths.
It is seeking resource consent to develop the land, which it bought two years ago for $27 million from three owners.
The site is on Halswell Rd opposite the Aidanfield subdivision and is now farmland.
The development, if approved, would be the biggest new mixeduse subdivision in the city for some years.
Progressive Enterprises’ consent application for the project is before the Christchurch City Council and, following a staff report, is likely to go to the straight to the Environment Court rather than being ruled on by the council.
As the application is for a noncomplying activity, by law it would need to have ‘‘less than minor adverse effects’’ to be eligible for approval by council.
John McDonagh, associate property professor at Lincoln University, said he was not surprised at a supermarket chain getting into land development.
‘‘This type of thing is more common in Australia, it seems they are trying to do it here,’’ he said.
‘‘Instead of responding to demand they will create their own. If they don’t make as much money with the land development, they are virtually guaranteed a captive market for years.’’
McDonagh said that, because of customer loyalty cards, supermarkets already knew a lot about customers’ preferences and lifestyles and could use this to sell them things other than groceries, including new homes.
Intended to create ‘‘a strong sense of community or collective life’’ according to the consent application, the subdivision’s housing would be arranged into four villages. It would have mainly free-standing homes on sections sized from 300sqm to 600sqm. There would also be 24 ‘‘New York style’’ apartments.
The 3.4ha commercial area would be built in stages.
It would have a 3600sqm Countdown supermarket, up to 21 specialty shops with a medical centre and preschool, cafe, and tavern. Residents would be able to join a club to gain access to an indoor swimming pool and attached amenities.
The site is within the Christchurch District Plan’s outline development plan area, which provides for residential and some commercial development between Halswell, Hendersons, Sparks and Milns Rds.