Roy's Hill restaurant proposal scuppered

Chris Gardner
Squarking Magpies Wines would have been able to build a restaurant at Roy's Hill had the newest member of the Hastings District Council's hearings committee got her way yesterday.
Cr Margaret Twigg, who was casting her first vote as a member of the committee, said she approved of company owner Gavin Yortt's plans to subdivide a 6.35ha block on SH50 and build a restaurant and plant grapevines and olive groves on a 3.9ha section.
"I would feel very differently if the applicant was not already a substantial landowner and a wine producer with a recognised brand," she said.
The other six councillors on yesterday's hearings committee - Dinah Williams, Richard Jones, Keriana Poulain, Derek Brownrigg, Norm Speers and Mick Lester - all voted against the proposal because the subdivision was smaller than the 12ha guide for the plains zone proposed by the district plan.
Mr Yortt's planner, Richard Coles, of Winchell Partnership, told the committee the development would provide the brand with a "cellar door" presence.
"The applicant could establish a vineyard and cafe and sales outlet as permitted activities, and without a concurrent subdivision. That action would also involve acquisition of the hill portion of this site and the dwelling," Mr Coles said.
"In the course of development of this project, the applicant has been well aware that the subdivisional aspect in particular would challenge existing rules.
"This is not a fanciful proposition. For a prospective new entrant to the industry the site would offer all of the desired ingredients for a complete winery development."
Stonecroft winery owner Alan Limmer said he objected to the subdivision because it could set a precedent in the area, although he did not object to what could occur on site as of right.
"This could lead to a predominance of such activities in what is currently a rural-based amenity."
The council's environmental manager, Ian Macdonald, told councillors several people had come to the council wanting to subdivide in the Roy's Hill area.
"My big issue is subdivision," he said.
Cr Mick Lester struggled to decline the application.
"I have had quite a difficulty with this because of my wish to support and encourage the wine industry but the major problem we have is subdivision," he said.
"This is only one of the options available on this site."
* The committee was today to decide on German businessman-owned Te Awanga Estate and Winery's plans for a 3913sq m winery on land between Clifton Road and Parkhill Road at Te Awanga. The plan requires councillors to make the final decision since the plan is larger than the 2500sq m allowed as of right.