Development given the all clear but many are not happy. Andrea Jutson reports
The controversial Wairoa Maritime Village development in Clevedon has been given the go ahead.
Five months after the hearing in April, Manukau City Council has released its verdict allowing a plan change to go ahead, paving the way for developers to build a new canal-side housing sub-division beside the Wairoa River. More than 1000 submissions were received on the plan change, split almost evenly between those for and against.
``We're not terribly happy, but we're not too surprised either,' says Mary Whitehouse, spokeswoman for opposition group Clevedon Cares.
``We're just amazed that the council could ignore all the opposition.'
The partnership behind the village proposal has welcomed the decision. Spokesman Derek Presland says the project, to be known as Clevedon Quays, would bring an extra $16 million a year to the local economy, with 130 new jobs added.
He says he is aware of local concerns, but believes they have been properly addressed.
``It has been a long haul up to now - it took something like seven years to get this far,' he says. ``This is a milestone decision along the path towards Clevedon Quays becoming reality.'
The original proposal was announced in mid-2005. Whitehouse says Clevedon locals opposing the change to the rural landscape outnumber local supporters 6:1, but many across Manukau are in favour of the development.
Hearings Committee chairperson Jan Sinclair says committee members are satisfied the development will be positive, providing 34ha of wetland and native planting to mitigate its environmental effects.
She says the committee feels the plan change will protect Clevedon's rural feel, but bring employment and extra facilities to the area, including boating infrastructure and walkways. The main local road, North Rd, will also be upgraded.
Opponents have 30 days to appeal the decision. Whitehouse says her group will almost certainly challenge the ruling.
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