Plan change bid for Maitai housing development to be lodged

The landowners behind a large housing development proposed in a Nelson valley aim to lodge a private plan change application next week.

A syndicate of two companies is behind the Maitahi-Bayview development – Maitai Development Co General Partner Ltd and Bayview Nelson Ltd. Tipped to include hundreds of homes, the proposed development is earmarked for a 310-hectare block of land stretching from Atawhai over the hills and down through Ka¯ka¯ Valley, which is linked to Maitai Valley.

Maitai Development Co director and Koata Ltd chief executive Hemi Toia yesterday announced that the landowners had advised the Nelson City Council an application for a private plan change would be submitted on April 16.

The application would include 10 technical reports that explained the potential effects and benefits.

Koata Ltd is the commercial arm of Nga¯ti Koata, which was ‘‘particularly excited about the opportunity for a component of affordable housing within the development envelope’’, Toia said. The application is likely to attract strong interest.

Some people have already come out in opposition, including the Save the Maitai group, which was formed in July 2020.

Toia said the landowners considered the plan change provided ‘‘an exciting opportunity for significant housing supply close to the Nelson City central business district’’.

Ecological values within riparian areas, mostly along the Ka¯ ka¯ Stream, would be ‘‘significantly enhanced and retained as open space and esplanade reserve’’.

‘‘There will also be an enlarged area for the Botanical Reserve [Centre of NZ] and an expanded network of walkways including the Bayview ridge line walkway,’’ Toia said.