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A controversial private plan change application to rezone and bring forward development of 159 hectares south of Warkworth has been approved by independent commissioners for Auckland Council, six months after the hearing was held.
KA Waimanawa Ltd Partnership and Stepping Towards Far Ltd plan to develop around 1600 residential lots, parks, a retail/business centre and a public transport hub on land near Valerie Close, just east of Pohuehue Road.
Hearing commissioners Karyn Kurzeja, Vaughan Smith and David Meads said while the application brought forward out-of-sequence development, they were confident in modifications and conditions that had been added during the hearing process, such as saying subdivision and development could only proceed with water and wastewater provision in place. The development would contribute to “a well-functioning urban environment, which is well connected along transport corridors”.
During last year’s hearing, the question of whether Watercare would be able to provide wastewater services by the time the land was built on took up much time and debate, but the applicants said they could provide their own private facilities if the infrastructure wasn’t in place by then.
The developers have also applied for fast-track approval to develop a further 88 hectares, which they say is the first of what will be three or four fast-track process approvals they will seek.
