Press Release
Orewa 8 May, 2006.
Available for Immediate Publication.

Consent Granted for Modified Development on Grand Drive, Orewa

Following a Resource Consent Hearing, the Rodney District Council has released a decision granting consent to Cabra Holdings Limited for a proposed multiple household unit development fronting Grand Drive in Orewa. The Hearings Panel was chaired by Independent Commissioner Harry Bhana and included Councillors Wayne Walker and John Watson.

In a departure from the conventional approach to making resource consent decisions, the application for 144 units was the subject of an interim decision made in March this year. The Panel believes that this innovative approach will lead to clearer decisions.

The Panel stated, “We anticipate that this new approach will give both the applicant and the community a clearer understanding of Council’s views on the application. Where Council has refused resource consent in relation to other applications, it had been criticised for later agreeing to a revised proposal when the matter was before the Environment Court despite being under an obligation to reconsider its position”

In this case the Hearings Panel concluded that provided changes were made it could support the proposed development. Its decision was that consent would be granted subject to conditions which reduced the height of the two tallest buildings from four storeys to three storeys and also reduced the overall number of units from 144 to 136 units. The Panel also sought assurance that a private covenant protecting the views of residents would not be contravened by this development.

The decision noted that the development “provides for a well-designed attractive development providing for a high quality of design and finish and subject to conditions to be imposed will fit well within the neighbourhood in this part of Orewa.” However the decision also notes that “the two four-storey buildings at either end of the frontage to West Hoe Road were overly dominant and out of scale with the medium intensity development proposed for the area and the existing residential development. For that reason the grant of consent specifically limits the height of those buildings requiring reduction in the height proposed by the removal of one floor of the apartments.”

Seventy formal submissions had been received opposing the proposal with the main concerns being the height of eight of the proposed 35 buildings. Five submissions had been received in support of the proposal. After the release of the interim decision submitters were given the opportunity to comment further. Seven responses were received and four of those attended the reconvened hearing on 24 April.

While appeals may be lodged against the final decision by either the developer or those who lodged submissions, the Panel would hope any potential appeals will focus upon the key issues.

ENDS

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