Land sale could bring 55 new sections to the Rotorua market

A 6.9 hectare block of Rotorua land is up for sale, which could bring 55 new sections to the market.

The block off Great West Rd is next to the Baxendale subdivision - in which 24 sections sold consecutively under the auctioneer's hammer in May.

Baxendale Developments had planned to continue with the development of the balance of the land, however a change in circumstances has meant the site is now being sold as one block rather than a portfolio of fully consented individual sections

The sizeable block is being marketed for sale by international tender through Bayleys Rotorua, with tenders closing at 4pm on November 1.

First to convert from rural to residential land-use was the now "mature" Cobbe Pl project, closely followed by the establishment and subsequent sell-down of the Matipo Close precinct. Baxendale sections were next on the schedule.

Bayleys Rotorua saleswoman Beth Millard said the sizeable landholding for sale was in two individual titles - each offering different scale and aspects for future residential developments.

"The first is a 1.54ha portion of hillside land, from which seven larger sections could be subdivided out of. The second tranche is a 5.4ha swathe of predominantly flat land which could be subdivided to create potentially 48 new residential plots - some of which will have stream frontages."

Ms Millard said the Matipo Heights block accessed off Great West Rd was being sold with the initial scheme plan drawn up to show how the land could be subdivided. A formal subdivision consent application had been lodged with Rotorua Lakes Council, and she said this was going through the due review processes.

"These initial concept designs will leave any new owner the opportunity to either take on board the proposed plans, or look at overlaying their own development masterplan with a different configuration.

"If consenting approval is granted in an expedient manner, initial groundworks for the installation of roading and utility services on the new sites could begin in the upcoming earthworks season.

"Potentially we could see the resulting 55 sections coming to the market."

Ms Millard expected section sizes to eventually replicate many of the residences sold in the neighbouring Baxendale enclave - where plots ranged from a conventional 686sq m up to 1196sq m.

She said Bayleys would be open to working with the eventual buyer of the lots to offer sections in the new development to the scores of unsuccessful under-bidders from the Baxendale campaign.

"The sell-down of Baxendale in May spotlighted just how much demand there was for new-build sites in this very desirable part of the city - with easy access to the central business district."