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A luxury lodge development of 45 villas, cottages and treehouse accommodation is planned for Brick Bay Farm in Snells Beach.
The site is home to Brick Bay Café and its associated sculpture gardens on around rolling 60 hectares and is owned by the Didsbury family.
Richard Didsbury says the first step has been taken with an application for referral to the government fast track consenting process.
He said the family, which has owned the site since 1986, was approached by an American partner, who he couldn’t name as that was confidential at the moment.
The project would still need a developer experienced in building luxury lodges, such as the world-famous Huka Lodge near Taupo.
Didsbury said the project was at an early stage: “All the funding’s got to be put together, we have to get resource consent.”
He said the café and sculpture garden would stay where they were and the development would not be seen from the Arabella Lane entrance as it was on the other side of the hill, running down to Brick Bay, on about 16 hectares.
Didsbury said he was particularly excited about the treehouse concept and had been inspired by a recent visit to Tree Hotel in Sweden, saying he hoped to incorporate some of their designs.
“Environmental stewardship remains at the heart of every decision we make. Protecting and enhancing the land has always been one of our guiding principles, and it will continue to shape this project from its earliest stages through to completion.
“We know proposals like this naturally raise questions, and one topic that may be of immediate interest to our neighbours is helicopter activity.
“Our intention is that helicopter activity would remain limited, respectful of our neighbours and the surrounding environment, and not materially change the character of the area.”
He said the family had cared for what he described as a precious site with a long-term perspective and that if the project proceeded, it would be developed progressively over a number of years.
“Our ambition remains unchanged: to create something exceptional that enriches Brick Bay while preserving the qualities that make it such a special place. We hope that, in time, this next chapter will become another part of Brick Bay’s story that future generations can enjoy.”
