Concept image of the tourist accommodation proposed. Image / Supplied
Concept image of the tourist accommodation proposed. Image / Supplied
Submissions have been received opposing plans to build nine visitor-accommodation buildings on the shores of Lake Rotorua.
Auckland-based commercial property investment company River and Stone Holdings, led by Gavin Shi, lodged resource consent application for the buildings on a 0.5ha property at 54 Whittaker Rd.
The buildings would be splitinto 30 accommodation units and one manager's unit. Five of the buildings would be single-storey and four would be two-storey.
Rotorua Lakes Council's operations group manager Henry Weston confirmed the submission period for the application had closed.
"Council received five submissions, one of which had multiple parties aligned to it.
"The applicant is now working through the issues raised in the submissions."
Whittaker Rd property in the resource consent application. Photo / Stephen Parker
In February residents neighbouring the proposed development told the Rotorua Daily Post they had concerns about traffic and tourists in their cul de sac, a lack of privacy and the height of the proposed buildings.
Shi said he had met with neighbours and local iwi to talk about any issues and concerns they had and he was feeling positive.
"The next steps, we are still in negotiations and listening to the neighbours' concerns and trying to address the issues. So far it's been very positive."
He said he'd had two meetings with iwi parties and neighbours and more consultation with them would take place.
He said the site was able to be subdivided for up to 11 houses and he was proposing nine.
Robyn Henderson's property shares a boundary with the project site and has submitted against it.
She said other residents had also shared the submission.
Henderson said she had met with Shi, the developer, but it hadn't changed her mind or alleviated her concerns about tourist accommodation in the area.
"It was a polite and courteous meeting but it doesn't change the fact this development is going in our community. It will affect our whole community and change the residential feeling for people who live in Whittaker Rd.
"For us the impact will be huge."
Henderson said they had invited Shi to build homes on the road but didn't want tourist accommodation.
After the submission period, a hearing will be held. Henderson said a date hadn't been set for it.
