Red Beach retirement village opponents ‘lawyer up’

Red Beach residents opposed to the building of a large retirement village, on a five-hectare site on the former Peninsula Golf Club land, have formed an incorporated society and are in the process of engaging a lawyer, planner and landscape architect to make presentations at this month’s hearing.

Metlifecare, which also owns Hibiscus Coast Village, is proposing to build a six-storey block with 368 apartments as well as a two-storey complex containing 25 apartments, 28 two-bedroom villas and a two-storey care home.

The proposal also includes eight retail units and cafes/restaurants that will be open to the public. The company is investing around $150 million in building the village and hopes to start work in October 2017.

Opponents say that the development is not suitable for an established residential area and have a number of other concerns including the size and dominance of the tallest block, a shortfall of carparks and the potential for adverse effects on the environment.

Red Beach Society Inc’s submission says that “due to the elevated position of the site, the proposal will create an ‘eagle’s nest’ towering over, overlooking and casting shadows onto other residential properties and their living spaces”.

The group is seeking financial support to cover professional fees. Info: email redbeachresidents@gmail.com or look for Red Beach Society on Facebook.

The hearing of submissions will take place in Orewa from October 11–14.