A site on High Street next to the Marlborough Library and Art Gallery at Te Kahu o Waipuna has been purchased by Marlborough District Council.

The property, zoned Business One in the Marlborough Environment Plan, is made up of five freehold titles with frontages to both High Street and Wynen Street and is 1147sqm in area.

Mayor Nadine Taylor said the chance to purchase a strategic site such as this did not happen often and was an opportunity Council could not afford to miss.

“This purchase is about future proofing a vital part of Blenheim’s town centre for future development opportunities. The site is next to an iconic Council asset – Te Kahu o Waipuna – a special building which has quickly established itself as a hub for our community. Council has decided to secure the site to ensure what is developed is complementary to our library and art gallery, adds value to our CBD and to our community at large.

“It also gives us a chance to talk more broadly about the future of Blenheim’s CBD as we explore options for the best long-term use of this site. We are keen to get the community’s input and this will happen as part of Council’s planning processes,” Mayor Taylor said.

Group Manager Property and Community Facilities Jamie Lyall said a valution was obtained for the property and the agreed purchase price was within 10 per cent of that valution. The purchase will be loan funded from existing budgets for the first year.

“This purchase shows Council is prepared to invest in the future of the Blenheim CBD. We know there are challenges out there for our retail sector and that the town centre has been changing over time.

“Over the past three or four years we have had numerous approaches to Council with ideas for developments in the centre of town including parking, apartments and pocket parks. With this acquisition, we are demonstrating Council is committed to the future development of Blenheim’s central business district.

“Step one is to secure the site so we can then consider all future options for it and engage with the public to have their say about its longer term use. We are also keen in the more immediate term to improve the site and Council will confirm the plan for this once finalised,” Mr Lyall said.

With its current zoning, 100 per cent site coverage could be allowed with any development with a permitted building height up to 20m.

“It is advantageous for Council to be able to control future development of the site so that whatever is done is complementary to the library and art gallery and The Quays public space,” Mr Lyall said.

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