Bob and Jean Simson always knew it was only a matter of time before they would lose some of the southern view to the hills from their new Papamoa subdivision.
Living at the end of Sandhurst Drive, their view will be blocked by three apartment buildings, six to eight storeys high, should the proposed $150 million residential development on the Rifle Range block get the go-ahead in its present form.
"We have the luxury of a rural outlook but we realised we wouldn't have that forever," said Mr Simson, who moved into the Sandhurst subdivision with his wife two years ago.
After reading about the development plan in the Bay of Plenty Times, Mr Simson said it would be better than having to put up with the motorcyclists using the empty paddock next door.
"I've been wondering for some time which direction the development will take. Various stories have been coming through, and seeing it now I think its ideal."The Simsons were now waiting to see whether the new development would spur the Tauranga council into opening up Sandhurst Drive to State Highway 2 as well as connecting both Gloucester Rd and Grenada St.
His neighbour Barry Humphrey can't wait for the road to be pushed out to the highway. "From what I've seen of the plans, it looks alright - there are parks and lakes. I had an idea it would be something like that."
Barrie Liddell, who lives on the eastern side of the development in Aranui Drive, said having the convenience stores in the new community would be an advantage.He would also be looking out onto the apartment buildings, and hoped they wouldn't be too high. "But overall the plan looks okay to me. It's good to see a development with an interesting new concept."The developer, Frasers Papamoa, has lodged a resource consent application for 741 dwellings on the 22ha Rifle Range block, involving an array of architecturally designed houses, duplexes, and apartments.
They will be priced differently to attract a mix of around 2000 people in to the new community. The land is already zoned residential, and the concept plan includes building an apartment complex in three buildings, ranging from three to five levels, on the beachfront alongside the Pacific Shores estate.Pacific Shores residents approached by the Bay Times had mixed feelings about the development.
Hugh Knight, the closest neighbour to the beachfront apartments, said he would be following the planning process closely.
"My initial reaction is - if I want my property to go up in value it's good news. If I lose some of my view (to the sea) it's bad news. Obviously, the ideal is something in between.
"The whole project has got to be fantastic for the area, but being selfish I want to save as much of the view as I can."
Spokesman for the Pacific Shores body corporate, Garth Spain, said the development would create an atmosphere and a hub for the area and he hoped the buildings would be of good quality.
Hazel Beckman was concerned at the potential increase in traffic when it is already a nightmare trying to get out Pacific Shores' gates.
The development's size also worried her: "I didn't think they would allow it to be built that high so close to the beach. It's ridiculous to squeeze those apartments onto a narrow piece of land."
Kitrina Lendrem lives one house away from the development boundary and was told the land would not be developed when they bought six years ago. The 40-year-old office manager was concerned residents hadn't been formally notified about the plan, calling the development "a real shock".Across on Sandhurst Rd, caregiver Pam Draffin was also concerned about increased traffic. "Because the people who use Grenada St will probably come back up this way."
Mrs Draffin had already contacted deputy mayor David Stewart to express her concerns. "And the dunes ... the high-rises and the dunes ... these are quite beautiful dunes."
Papamoa housing project gets mixed response
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