Hastings Golf Club’s plans for ‘lifestyle community’ alongside its fairways

Concept image of the Heretaunga Golf and Leisure Precinct, which includes housing and accessory development.

A proposal to rezone Hastings Golf Club and then develop it into a tourist destination with 170 residential dwellings alongside its fairways is out for public consultation.

Golf Sport Development Limited Partnership (GDLP) has requested a change to the Hastings District Plan to rezone land in Bridge Pā (Hastings Golf Course) from plains zone to sport and recreation zone with a Heretaunga Golf and Leisure Precinct, which includes housing and accessory development.

The proposed plan change for future development would incorporate new recreational facilities along with associated commercial development, about 170 residential dwellings and short-stay visitor accommodation.

GSDLP comprises golf tourism sector experts Greg Turner, Ryan Brandeburg and David Moore. It was formed to progress the proposed plan change.

Hastings Golf Club’s first woman president, Robyn Bell, is right behind the plans, which would rezone 82.2ha of land.

Bell said she had been 100% in favour of it since its inception.

Hastings Golf Club’s first woman president, Robyn Bell, is right behind the plans.

“In 2018, the president of the time approached Turner, a former golf professional, to discuss the club’s future.

“We had ageing buildings and it was outside the club and members’ ability to replace. So Greg was approached for ideas.”

Bell said the plans turned out to be a lot more ambitious than expected.

“But the committee had the courage to go with it.

“A lot of work and research has gone into the application and I’m extremely excited.”

Club general manager Michelle Campbell said it had been a long time coming

“There has been a lot of groundwork done by all parties,” Campbell said.

“It’s led by council process and needs to run its course, however, we are sure there will be a positive outlook.

“We are bound by the council and respect that and will do what’s required of us.”

Submissions are open on a proposed plan change to rezone land at the Hastings Golf Course from plains zone to sport and recreation zone. Photo / Warren Buckland.

Golf Sport Development says the plan change will enable the revitalisation of Hastings Golf Club and ensure the golf club is a thriving, high-quality golf course facility for future generations.

It says the purpose of the proposed change is to recognise the existing recreation activity established on the site for many years and appropriately zone the golf course facility as sport and recreation.

“It is intended that an overall distinctive golf course character is retained within the existing rural working character area and that the character of the adjoining production plains zone would not change.

“The vision is to create a residential lifestyle community within the golf course property, that enables enhancement of the facility to a level that transforms the site into a destination asset for the wider community and strengthens and enhances the linkages with other nearby attractions and activities such as the cycleway and vineyards.”

The application to Hastings District Council is comprehensive with more than 200 pages, including concept plans, reports, assessment of the environmental effects, stormwater effects, water supply and cultural effects.

Submissions close at 5pm on February 24.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.