Kaikōura Business Park Decision Upsets Neighbours

Wednesday, 5 June 2024, 6:24 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

A new business park to the south of Kaikōura has been given the green light, despite opposition from neighbours of the proposed site.

The Kaikōura District Council has accepted a recommendation from commissioners to approve a private plan change request from Kaikōura Business Park Ltd (2021) to build a light industrial business park on a 21.6 hectare site on the corner of Inland Kaikōura Road and State Highway 1.

Council chief executive Will Doughty said a delegation of neighbours attended last week’s council meeting to raise concerns.

The neighbours said they had made a ‘‘side agreement’’ with the developer before withdrawing their submissions.

‘‘They were keen for us to try and reconsider some of the arrangements with the developer as they had made side agreements,’’ Mr Doughty said.

‘‘But the challenge for us was they removed their submissions back in January as a result of an agreement reached with the developer.’’

The council sought legal advice and Mr Doughty said because the submissions were withdrawn it was now a matter between the developer and the neighbours.

‘‘We were advised that to consider their submissions now would put the whole process in jeopardy.
‘‘I feel for them because they feel strongly about it, but they voluntarily chose to step outside the process.’’

Mr Doughty said the commissioners did take the side agreement into consideration ‘‘as far as they could’’.

Local Democracy Reporting has reached out to the neighbours, but they declined to comment for now.
In all, 114 submissions were received, including 107 in support and three in opposition.

Opposing submissions raised issues around amenity, consultation, water supply infrastructure, road safety and access, and servicing.

To address the concerns, provisions were revised and two submitters entered into a separate side agreement, policy planner Freya Jackson said in a report to last week’s council meeting.

She said the side agreement involved a 60 metre setback of the boundary, a planting strip, restricted building height and specified the colour of new buildings along the boundary.

The business park was first proposed in 2009.

It will bring light industrial businesses together in one location, taking some pressure off Beach Road.

Under the plan change, some retail will be allowed, which complements the light industrial businesses.

But Westend will remain the main town centre for retail businesses.

Submitters have until July 19 to appeal the decision to the Environment Court.

If no appeals are received, the private change will become operative from August 1.

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