Revised application for development overlooking New Chum Beach

The owner of Te Pungapunga Station which is land overlooking New Chum Beach has applied for a controlled activity resource consent which encompasses a subdivision to create a conservation lot and a boundary adjustment between two existing lots.

The resource consent application is also for a house on each of the three lots. The application, which was lodged before the Proposed District Plan (December 2013 version) was notified, so is treated as a "controlled activity," under the rules of the Operative District Plan.

As a controlled activity, under the provisions of the Resource Management Act 1991, Council can’t refuse the application but can impose certain conditions on the landowner with regard to the development and maintenance of the land and the siting and design of the proposed houses.

In processing the application Council will look at conditions related to the area of land to be covenanted and the visibility and location of the houses, its design and if any planting work has to be done to soften any visual effects of the development.

At this stage the application is currently on hold awaiting some further information from the applicant and once this information has been received then Council will be required to make a decision on notification.

" One thing we'll want to ensure is that Third Party interests are looked after and that the native flora and fauna which makes New Chum such a special part of the Coromandel continues to be protected and also remains accessible for everyone to still visit, through the existing walkway," says Mayor Glenn Leach.

"We'll also be pushing for a natural buffer zone between the development and the beach. This would run the full length of the beach and be maintained by a covenant, potentially through the QEII Trust or TCDC," says Mayor Leach.

This application is currently on hold while Council awaits further information and documentation from the landowner. As yet no determination has been made by the Council as to notification of the application.

Click here to listen to an interview landowner John Darby did with the NZ Herald about his project plans.

The application and all information relating to the application is available for viewing on Councils consent tracker system using the link here and type in RMA2013/275

ENDS

© Scoop Media