Shopping complex appeal hearing finally on horizon

RESIDENTS are keen to see this Cambridge Road eyesore exchanged for a new shopping complex, including the town’s third supermarket. File photo.

By Grant Johnston

A number of Te Awamutu residents have expressed frustration that “nothing seems to be happening” with the proposed Cambridge Road shopping complex.

Council planning services manager Wayne Allan says in the Bilimag private plan change appeal process, it has taken nine months to get a Hearing before the Environment Court. The application to rezone land at 670 Cambridge Road from Residential and Rural to General Zone was approved by Council in January this year.

The decision was appealed by submitter General Distributors Limited (a large distribution company for a rival supermarket chain) and the applicant (in order to be part of the appeal process). The Environment Court hearing is scheduled for a three week hearing at the Environment Court (Maori Land Court Building, Hamilton) starting on November 26 (with a one week break after the first week).

This re-zoning, sought by Bilimag Holdings Ltd, allows for the development of a 14-unit retail and commercial complex, including a new Pak’n’Save supermarket, service station, restaurant and bulk retail areas.

The concept plan for the development of the six hectare block allows for 659 carparks.

A private plan change was originally sought by Bilimag Holdings in early 2005, subsequently withdrawn and re-submitted.

The author of a Letter to the Editor has suggested Council should not allow appeals. Mr Allan says Council has no choice.

“It is a matter of law in accordance with the Resource Management Act 1991 that a Council decision on resource management applications, including private plan change, can be appealed to the Environment Court by the applicant and submitters.”