Explanatory letter to Bowenvale builder

Press, 24 June 1983, Page 5

Explanatory letter to Bowenvale builder

Concern that planning requirements in the Huntsbury Spur subdivision might not be clear has prompted the Heathcote Council to send a letter of explanation to the developer. Mr R. T. Shiels bought the land, formerly part of the Bowenvale farm in the Port Hills, at auction on June 3 for $400,000. It is divided into 25 4 ha lots and he has since sold 15 of them. He hopes to establish a horticultural community on the property and has called two meetings of buyers to outline his plans. Cr R. Simcock attended one of them and told the full council yesterday evening that he felt that some buyers were not sure about what they could and could

not do on their land and that they should be “enlightened.” The council, aware of the problem, had commissioned an opinion from a Christchurch planning consultancy firm, Davie, Lovell-Smith and Partners. It read that any application to build houses on the lots was likely “to pose a difficulty for the council from a planning viewpoint” because the zoning of the land had not yet been resolved. About 160 ha of the 103.6 ha block was designated as a “special development and land management zone,” but appeals have been lodged to have it changed to “rural.” Until that was decided, development could be per-

mitted in the area only if a comprehensive plan were produced. In the rural zone houses were allowed only as specified departures. The meeting voted that a copy of the report be sent to Mr Shiels and that he, and any others who inquired, be advised of the building restrictions in force. Cr M. J. Taylor said that the council was “shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted,” and that uncertainties should have been explained earlier. However, Cr T. P. Wills said that anyone investing $30,000 — the price of the more expensive lots — would have checked the Elanning provisions before uying.