Developer backs down to protests over beach bridge

A developer has ditched his plan to build a pedestrian overbridge on to a popular Far North beach, averting a likely confrontation between community objectors and contractors next week.

Construction of the footbridge above State Highway 10 at Cable Bay to link a 50-unit hillside condominium development with the beach foreshore below was to start on Monday.

"We didn't think people fighting on the beach was the way to go in year 2007," Auckland-based developer Chris Hook said after yesterday's announcement that the bridge would not now be built.

"It's disappointing, but we believe the situation would have got out of control to the detriment of everyone. We were left with little other option."

The project drew prolonged anger and opposition from within the local Doubtless Bay community after the Far North District Council granted non-notified consent in 2003.

The planned construction in late 2005 was put on hold after a three-week community protest on the beach.

About 150 protesters were on the beach this week when construction was scheduled to restart.

Objectors' group the Cable Bay Beach Watch Network had vowed to be back again next week to oppose a construction restart.

But yesterday Crystal Waters condominium developer Chris Hook said building a footpath or walkway down the hill from the development to link with a pedestrian crossing over the highway was now "an acceptable option".