Re-zoning of Cambridge land possible

The 4ha of land for sale are at 234 Peake Rd, on the northern side of Cambridge. Photo / Supplied

A former farm for sale on the outskirts of Cambridge is in an area proposed for rezoning land to Industrial.

At present the 4ha block, on the northern side of the Waikato town, is zoned Rural — but it sits within an area mooted for inclusion in Cambridge's growing Hautapu industrial sector.

The freehold 4ha, at 234 Peake Rd, is being marketed via a deadline sale, closing on December 14.

Bayleys Waikato salesperson Blair Hutcheson says the proposed rezoning is part of the Waipa District Council's Hautapu Industrial Structure Plan change. This would apply to 100ha of land with a mix of agricultural, residential, light industrial and commercial premises.

At present, most of the Hautapu zone is undeveloped greenfield land, in what the plan calls "the primary industrial node for Cambridge".

Proposed plan changes reflect the completion of the Waikato Expressway through to Cambridge. They are also in line the council's growth strategy document.

"This predicts the area will grow by an additional 27,000 residents in coming decades, with corresponding employment growth in the manufacturing, construction, retail, accommodation, and business service sectors," says Hutcheson.

"The philosophy is to enable light to medium-industry, including the dairy and equine industries.

"Hautapu is considered an important gateway to Cambridge and an ideal location for industry due to the proximity of significant transport routes – including the Ruakura Inland Port just 20km away."

"The property for sale can sustain holding income from the rental of a three-bedroom home on the site, as well as leasing stables and grazing paddocks for equestrian use.

"Its rectangular shape means, subject to the Structure Plan change being adopted, it could be subdivided into many sizes and configurations.

Potentially, these could range from a multi-tenanted terraced style hub suitable for occupation by trade-based tenancies, through to a limited number of substantially larger warehousing and logistics type premises.

"Under the proposed plan change core infrastructure such as connections for water, wastewater and cycleway connections would be provided by the council in conjunction with developers. Cell infrastructure, such as roading, will need to be provided as part of any development."

Though the rezoning process is yet to be formally ratified by Waipa District Council, Hutcheson says analysis by planners identifies that the proposed plan change would have minimal impact on local residents, the area's geography, or iwi interests.