The American billionaire behind a failed application for luxury accommodation within the Cape Kidnappers Outstanding Natural Feature has been in informal discussions with the Hastings District Council with a new proposal.
Julian Robertson, whose previous application was overturned by the Environment Court, has shared provisional plans for single-storey accommodation outside the
Outstanding Natural Feature with Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule.
The previous application was granted council permission in 2003 before being overturned by the Environment Court in 2004 and featured a sunset room excavated into the cliff above Black Reef Point and a 24-unit lodge.
The council approval triggered the formation of the Cape Kidnappers Protection Society. It appealed the decision before the Environment Court, which criticised the council for its "uncompromisingly partisan" position.
Mr Yule told Hawke's Bay Today the council was still assessing draft plans against criteria in the Hastings District Plan.
"On the surface it looks fine." The new site had no landscape value: "It's just farmland".
A formal application was expected within three weeks. Mr Yule welcomed the second application: "Mr Robertson brings in some very influential people into New Zealand.
They can't stay on the golf course and he would like to have rooms for those people," he said.
The council may share the application with the Cape Kidnappers Protection Society before getting back to Mr Robertson with comments.
Society founder Rod Heaps, now a district councillor, said he would have no objections if it remained outside the Outstanding Natural Feature and was not intrusive.
Mr Robertson bought Summerlee Station, later renamed Cape Kidnappers Station, two years ago and has spent millions developing a part of it as an international golf resort.
