High hotel would block sacred mountain views

Tu¯ wharetoa Limited says an eight storey hotel planned for Taupo¯ would block views of Mt Tauhara and change the future use of its own commercial property in the CBD.

The developer Cypress Capital says views of the mountain should not be a factor in determining whether the project could be approved.

Concerns were raised during a resource consent hearing in Taupo¯ last week as Taupo¯’s District Plan requires developers seeking to build taller than three storeys to go through one.

The hotel would have 84 rooms of 4.5-star hotel accommodation, three basement levels, retail stores to lease on the ground floor and a roof-top restaurant and pool.

Of the 72 submissions to Taupo¯ District Council on the proposal, 49 opposed it, 19 supported it and 4 were neutral.

Tu¯ wharetoa Limited [TL] is a subsidiary of the Tu¯ wharetoa Settlement Trust. It purchased a 2050-square-metre block of land in Taupo¯ at 11 Tuwharetoa St in October, 2017, for $2.1 million. A taxi stand and the closed-down Vertigo night club occupy the site.

Ngahere Wall, who spoke on behalf of TL at the hearing, said the hotel would have an ‘‘overbearing’’ effect on any future use of that site – unless TL decided to build to eight-storeys or taller as well.

‘‘We do not want to be forced to also exceed the District Plan’s standard by such a significant margin,’’ Wall said.

‘‘More concerning, is what we would need to do if we are to gain a view of our cultural sites: Tauhara maunga, one of the most prominent land features in the Taupo¯ area, Maunga Namu, another maunga that is culturally significant and the Kaimanawa [Ranges], our Pae maunga, which lay south-east to the Lake Taupo¯ catchment.’’

Cypress Capital’s representative Catriona Eagles said views of Mt Tauhara should not be expected from commercial properties in Taupo¯’s town centre, as a right.

‘‘In my opinion, the level of outlook from a town centre property is of a quality different to and lower than that expected in residential areas.’’

The hearing was adjourned until further information is received.

Developer Cypress Capital’s Catriona Eagles says the owners of the two empty lots beside the proposed site for the hotel [on right, where trees are] would have a view of Mt Tauhara through the front of the section, no matter the height of the hotel.