A two-day hearing in Cromwell next week will consider a new application by developers of a residential subdivision in Bannockburn.

DJ Jones and NR Searell Family Trust was originally given resource consent to subdivide 32.721ha into 15 residential lots, but withdrew its second application in 2021 for a 35-lot subdivision after huge community opposition.

This time the development on Terrace Street will include a 24-lot subdivision with a public reserve area featuring interpretation panels of gold mining history.

The Central Otago District Council’s (CODC) planning consultant Kirstyn Royce has recommended it be approved.

A total of 38 submissions were received for the current application, two neutral and three in support and the remainder in opposition.

The majority of submissions in opposition raised concerns regarding the lot size. For the residential resource area, a minimum lot area of 1500m2 and an average allotment size is no less than 2000m2 was required.

The applicant proposed the reserve would provide a connection to the informal public trail and a lookout area to the north and east towards Cromwell, the wider Upper Clutha area and eastwards towards the Bannockburn Outlet and surrounds. 

It would include interpretive material associated with the former mining activity, heritage associations with the twin Water Race Hill water races, and also potentially geomorphic explanations of the Upper Clutha area.

The supporting information submitted with the application site showed evidence of former gold mining works dating back to pre-1900’s as evidenced by a network of historic water races and deeply incised sluice gullies in the northwest with sluice faces and channels.

The hearing will be held at The Gate in Cromwell on Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 4:30pm.