Whakapapa village developments approved

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 485, 11 May 1993, Page 3 (Supplement)

Whakapapa village developments approved

' Developments oi a coffee shop cum craft and souvenir outlet, and the provision of a 100 seat licensed restaurant at the Whakapapa Village have been approved by the Ruapehu District Council. A Hearings Committee considered a submission by Chapple Architects on behalf of KAH (NZ) Ltd, proposing to make alterations to Fergusson Cottage on State Highway 48 and the adjoining 'Love Shack', to accommodate a coffee shop, souvenir and craft outlet and postal agency. The proposal included the . provision of carparking to accommodate patrons. Four submissions, for and against the proposal

were received. Supporting the proposal was the Department of Conservation, ' who stated that the redevelopment had been approved in principle by the Department as "landowner" with the proposal fitting within the intent of the Tongariro National Park Management Plan. Those against the development identified a number of areas of concern including overutilisation o f Whakapapa Village's existing sewerage system, inadequate carparking to meet demand, and the visual implications of another building impacting on the skyline of the park. A submission from

the New Zealand Historic Places Trust opposed the proposal due to Fergusson Cottage's historical significance, stating that the development will affect the aesthetic, cultural and historical qualities of the building. The cottage is earmarked to be nominated for classification under the Historic Places Act 1980. The council approved the redevelopment of the buildings subject to the condition that a tatai of 16 sealed carparks be provided for patrons, and that the historical integrity of the buildings remain intact. The council gave consent to the proposal, stating that the devel-

opment was likely to have minor adverse environmental effects and did not consider that added traffic would exacerbate the Whakapapa Village's existing congestion problems. A second proposal by KAH (NZ) Ltd, to make alterations and additions to the former Tavern premises at Whakapapa Village for the purpose of operating a 100 seat licensed restaurant was also approved by the Hearings Committee. KAH propose to add a five metre extension to the rear of the existing building and a four metre extension on the south side, with the additions chosen to bring an alpine character to the building, consistant

with the rest of the Village. Provision for 51 tarsealed carparks for the entire Tavern/Restaurant complex was made in the proposal to increase the efficiency of the present carparking space. The committee approved the proposal subject to the condition that 20 sealed carparks be provided for the use of restaurant patrons. Both proposed developments are located within a known lahar path with a return period of 240 years. The Hearings Committee stated that due to an early warning system and evacuation plan being in place for Whakapapa Village the risk to public safety by a lahar is mitigated.