Progressive Enterprises has been granted resource consent to expand its Countdown store in Regent, despite concerns from some neighbouring residents.
Independent Commissioner Justine Bray heard submissions from Whangarei District Council (WDC) planners, Progressive Enterprises and a resident of neighbouring Wallace St at a hearing on February 2.
The development includes an extended 686sq m floor space, a new carpark, with service vehicle access from Wallace St, which would require Progressive to demolish two dwellings which it had bought. A dedicated pedestrian pathway into the site from Wallace St was also proposed.
Countdown is zoned under Business 3 Environment in the District Plan, but the Wallace St extensions are zoned Living 1 and 2, residential zoning which prohibits commercial activity.
Only the residents of 1A, 1B and 3 Wallace St were notified of the plan because they were "adversely affected in a minor way", according to the Whangarei District Council planners' report, which recommended granted consent.