Consent for subdivision lodged

Consent for a proposed 312-lot subdivision on the corner of Wakarara Rd and State Highway 50 has been lodged with the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council.

According to council the consent applied for by Springhill Farms Ltd has yet to be granted, but an image said to be a plan of the subdivision was posted on social media in the weekend and, while the image was removed soon after, it caused a lot of discussion. Most of the commentors were in favour of the proposed project, saying housing was very much needed in the region.

Council said it “appreciates and recognises there is high community interest” and that this potential subdivision is one of a number that council is currently processing.

In regards to the SH50/Wakarara Rd application, the council spokesperson says council is “working through the normal processing approach and is yet to finalise whether the development will be publicly notified or not”.

While there may be an expectation of community consultation, council in its function under the Resource Management Act is not able to pick and choose what it notifies for public consultation, and that the act, and the current operative District Plan, sets those things out.

Under the proposed District Plan that is currently out for formal consultation (closing on August 6), developments of this scale would be subject to stringent consenting conditions.

More information is expected to be available on the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council website this week.