Castle Hill resort approved

Press, 7 April 1979, Page 3

Castle Hill resort approved

Castle Hill Developments, Ltd, has finally received approval for its multi-million dollar resort village near Castle Hill Station, in the Waimakariri basin.

The proposed Rural D zoning of the land to a large, extent met the public inter* est and likely future services of the area, said the Malvern County Council. However, its approval yesterday was subject to 19 conditions. These will allow it closely to supervise the development of the 36ha site in the Enys area, between Porter’s Pass and Arthur’s Pass.

The council was particularly concerned that all buildings and landscaping should blend with the surrounding landscape. In most cases exterior building design and materials must meet the approval of the County Engineer. The council believes that stone facings, dark grey-green roofs, and other materials such as wood in “natural” colours — used in the park headquar* ters building at Arthur’s Pass — would be compatible. While the colours and

materials specified in the application were generally suitable, the council decided that the mixture of design proposed would not produce the standard of visual integration required. Members agreed that the Rural D zone should be a clean-air zone to protect the significant environmental assets of the area. When Cr G. E. J. Hutton suggested that the hotel be given a special exemption to allow an open fire, Cr M. G. Clucus said that fires were an inefficient means of heating and the council should support a clean-air zone. “It should definitely not allow fires in the residential area,’’ she said. Councillors were told that the area was prone to temperature inversions 40 per cent of the time, especially in winter, and there was a distinct danger of atmospheric pollution.

The protection of trees on the site was another condition imposed. “No tree shall be topped in any circumstances, and no tree otherwise damaged or removed unless absolutely essential.

Where it is essential to remove a tree it shall be replaced by one or more trees in the approximate area,” the council’s conditions said. All services will be reticulated underground for service and storm-safety reasons. The council will also have the final say in matters such as the taking of water, disposal of stormwater and sewage, and other services. Provision is made for land to be set aside for a possible future school, and the commercial area must make provision for police and fire stations, a post office, bus stop, and other community facilities such as a doctor’s office and a service station.

Approval for the proposed hotel and commercial area is in principle only, and no more than 1400 persons may stay at the resort overnight. Castle Hill Developments, Ltd, planned the resort to meet a demand for holiday sites, accommodation, and drinking and restaurant facilities in the Broken River area. When it put forward a scheme to develop a nearby site nine years ago. the scheme was rejected.