Residents oppose building plan

Residents are opposed to a 10ha section off Keirunga Rd in Havelock North being developed. Photo / Duncan Brown

Residents are concerned the amenity of a Havelock North neighbourhood will be "totally desecrated" if neighbouring land is developed.

The owners of a 10ha Keirunga Rd lifestyle block beside the entrance of Tainui Reserve, TMF Trustee Services Ltd, submitted to the proposed Hastings District Plan requesting the zoning remain Havelock North general residential, which allowed a density of one dwelling per 350m2, rather than a change to Havelock North character residential zone, which allowed a development density of one dwelling per 700m2.

The entire elevated portion of Havelock North was rezoned last year from general residential to Havelock North character residential in the proposed Hastings District Plan, to protect the Havelock hills.

Speaking on behalf of the landowners at a District Plan Hearings Committee meeting yesterday, surveyor Andrew Taylor said a large portion of the site was already zoned general residential and the zoning change would "significantly reduce" the land's development potential.

But there were 27 submissions from local residents opposing the landowner's submission.

Glenpark Place resident Robin Wilson said she was concerned about a negative visual impact on the neighbourhood, as well as erosion and stormwater issues.

One of the main reasons for purchasing her property was the "look and feel of the area".

"This will be totally desecrated by subdivision at [Keirunga Rd], hence our total opposition to this proceeding as per submission 266."

Keirunga Rd resident of more than 30 years, Jan Tinbolt, said his street was not capable of handling the increased traffic flows a new development would bring.

"Why would we need a housing development in this tranquil, beautiful, natural part of Havelock North? We don't need it and we don't want it."

Mr Taylor said the owners were willing to accept "watered down density" and added development controls of character residential zoning, provided the zoning extents were expanded to offset some of the potential yield lost through the change in zone.

But Mr Tinbolt said residents were opposed to development of any kind.

"We are against any development, not only 350m2 but also 700m2, because any development will increase the traffic flow, and that is absolutely not acceptable."

Long-time resident Jessica Maxwell, who gathered 240 signatures opposing the rezoning in May last year, said she was "aghast" she had not been warned of a change in the landowner's submission to accept the character residential zoning with expanded limits.

"We should have been notified of the proposed changes so we could make an informed view. What I'm aghast at is the goalposts were removed and we were totally unaware of it."