Post by lumpy on Aug 6, 2012 20:40:46 GMT 12
From tonights local paper , some common sense ( for a change ) 
An application by Colonial Vineyards to develop their vineyard on New Renwick Rd near Blenheim into a housing subdivision has been rejected.
The 21.4-hectare sauvignon blanc vineyard is near Omaka airfield.
A planning commissioner appointed by the Marlborough District Council rejected the application in its entirety. The proposal failed because not enough information was available on noise levels, and the potential development of aviation and associated industry in the area was not taken into account.
The panel said the growth strategy did not have accurate information about the noise effects of the airfield, so failed to weigh the significance of them when deciding the site was good for residential development.
It said it was plain from the evidence that the airfield housed a dynamic cluster of aviation-related activities. The significance of the Omaka airfield to the future economic vitality of the Marlborough region should not be underestimated.
The plan change asked for by Colonial Vineyard was significant regarding new growth, the panel said. It said the application proposed changes of a scale that demanded its assessment take into account the wider strategic planning implications for adjoining land.
For example, the adjoining land, owned by the Carlton Corlett Trust, was proposed to be used for light industrial activity that would suit and boost the activities at Omaka airfield.
The panel said it looked at splitting the Colonial Vineyard site application, so that two sites were considered, one within the noisy area (B) and one outside it (A).
Site B would be rejected, it said, because the noise effects from the subdivision on the airfield would be serious and potentially imperil the present and future activities at the airfield.
Site A was more of a challenge, the panel said. It was outside the noise area, and was generally suitable for residential development, for between 113 and 170 lots, which was a worthwhile contribution to Blenheim's future housing needs.
However, it ruled against that, saying there was no design concept for the site yet, and it was not clear how the rest of the land would be used.
"On balance, we consider that the risk of approving new residential development on Area A by rezoning presents an unacceptable risk of poor strategic planning and lack of integrated development.
"A comprehensive strategic planning exercise is part of the council's workstream in the review of the Wairau Awatere Resource Management Plan and there is no pressing need for new residential land. Our conclusion therefore is that the application should in its entirety be declined."
Colonial Vineyards spokesman Mark Davis said the decision was disappointing. The company was taking advice on the decision and had yet to decide if it would appeal.
The main opponent of the Colonial application, Marlborough Aero Club, said it was pleased by the decision.
Club president Craig Anderson said the recognition by the council panel of the importance of the Omaka Aviation Cluster was good for Marlborough
An application by Colonial Vineyards to develop their vineyard on New Renwick Rd near Blenheim into a housing subdivision has been rejected.
The 21.4-hectare sauvignon blanc vineyard is near Omaka airfield.
A planning commissioner appointed by the Marlborough District Council rejected the application in its entirety. The proposal failed because not enough information was available on noise levels, and the potential development of aviation and associated industry in the area was not taken into account.
The panel said the growth strategy did not have accurate information about the noise effects of the airfield, so failed to weigh the significance of them when deciding the site was good for residential development.
It said it was plain from the evidence that the airfield housed a dynamic cluster of aviation-related activities. The significance of the Omaka airfield to the future economic vitality of the Marlborough region should not be underestimated.
The plan change asked for by Colonial Vineyard was significant regarding new growth, the panel said. It said the application proposed changes of a scale that demanded its assessment take into account the wider strategic planning implications for adjoining land.
For example, the adjoining land, owned by the Carlton Corlett Trust, was proposed to be used for light industrial activity that would suit and boost the activities at Omaka airfield.
The panel said it looked at splitting the Colonial Vineyard site application, so that two sites were considered, one within the noisy area (B) and one outside it (A).
Site B would be rejected, it said, because the noise effects from the subdivision on the airfield would be serious and potentially imperil the present and future activities at the airfield.
Site A was more of a challenge, the panel said. It was outside the noise area, and was generally suitable for residential development, for between 113 and 170 lots, which was a worthwhile contribution to Blenheim's future housing needs.
However, it ruled against that, saying there was no design concept for the site yet, and it was not clear how the rest of the land would be used.
"On balance, we consider that the risk of approving new residential development on Area A by rezoning presents an unacceptable risk of poor strategic planning and lack of integrated development.
"A comprehensive strategic planning exercise is part of the council's workstream in the review of the Wairau Awatere Resource Management Plan and there is no pressing need for new residential land. Our conclusion therefore is that the application should in its entirety be declined."
Colonial Vineyards spokesman Mark Davis said the decision was disappointing. The company was taking advice on the decision and had yet to decide if it would appeal.
The main opponent of the Colonial application, Marlborough Aero Club, said it was pleased by the decision.
Club president Craig Anderson said the recognition by the council panel of the importance of the Omaka Aviation Cluster was good for Marlborough
