Residents fight hotel project

NOT HAPPY: Koutu resident Natalie Richards with her son, Steven, objecting against a proposed hotel to be built in her street. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Koutu residents believe they have made their point after more than 120 submissions were made in opposition to a planned hotel in their neighbourhood.

Plans were unveiled last month for the new multi-million-dollar, four-star hotel which developers said would bring about 30 jobs and attract tourists.

The proposed hotel, on empty land on Bennetts Rd, would have 100 rooms and include a swimming pool, restaurant and tennis courts as part of the development.

However Koutu residents fear the hotel, which is planned for a residential area, sets a precedent around commercial buildings in neighbourhoods.

They are concerned about the increase in traffic and visitors along with the noise and other impacts it would have on their quiet neighbourhood.

Submissions on the project have closed with 123 opposing the development and just one in support.

Koutu resident Natalie Richards, who has helped lead the community opposition, said she was "pretty pleased" with the number of objections.

"The community has spoken really."

She said they had "taken the initiative" and made sure the community knew what was planned by dropping submission forms around the neighbourhood. "We facilitated it so it was easy for them."

Ms Richards said she had hoped to get about 50 objections so the number "exceeded expectations".

She said one of the biggest concerns was that the land was zoned residential, and the effect that would have in the future.

"It is the residential zoning and the precedent it sets for other residential areas. It could happen anywhere."

Of those who made a submission, 33 wanted to speak to it. Rotorua Lakes Council consent solutions manager Paul Spurdle said the application was temporarily on hold while the council requested further information from those behind the project. Depending on responses to these questions, next steps could include a pre-hearing meeting with the applicant, council and submitters, or the applicant could choose to undertake a public consultation process. Alternatively, the application could proceed straight to a hearing.

A hearing date would need to be identified in consultation with the applicant and realistically, it was unlikely a hearing would be held before the new year. The project is being developed jointly by Rotorua couple Alex Leu and Selina Zhang with two other investors - one based in Auckland and one in China.

They did not want to comment yesterday but had previously said they hoped to market the hotel in China and focus on tour groups, because of the growth in the Asian market. They had been considering the development for many years but had found it difficult to find a suitable spot.