Planning can now proceed on a rural subdivision containing 160 sections and 29ha of cherry plantings off Ripponvale Road near Cromwell following an Environment Court decision.

NZ Cherry Corp appealed an earlier decision declining the development, when the application was heard by a Central Otago District Council-appointed panel.

The panel had raised concerns over impacts on the rural character and landscape as well as potential land use issues at the 142ha site.

They had concluded that “the site is not suitable for the scale and intensity of development given the potential of the land to be used overall for much more intensive rural primary production, its significant adverse visual effects and effects on rural character, and the co-location of essentially incompatible activities.”

NZ Cherry Corp’s subsequent appeal to the Environment Court was successful after the level of development was reduced and mediation between parties had taken place.  

The subdivision was not considered as part of Cromwell’s master-planning exercise which included a spatial plan setting out where housing development should be focused. 

A strong theme developed through that process that new housing should be concentrated within the fast-growing town’s existing boundaries. 

“This is a significant development not anticipated by the Cromwell Spatial Plan,” Cromwell Community Board chair Anna Harrison said.

“However, the court decision provides a positive outcome as it presents a range of additional residential opportunities for the Cromwell community.”

Sections will range from approximately 2,000sqm to three hectares and some areas will be retained for recreation and amenity values.  

The Central App reported this week that the Cromwell Mountain Bike Club was about to “officially” launch, now that the Ripponvale Road project had gained approval.

The terrain at Shannon Farm allowed for a scenic climbing trail to a hub and summit with 300 vertical metres and there was room for multiple trails of varying grades. The proximity of the farm to town meant mountain bikers could access the trails under pedal power alone.

The associated legal zoning change approved, known as Plan Change 14, is a private plan change which creates a new “Rural Resource Area 5”. The original application was first lodged in mid-2019.

Henry Van Der Velden is one of three NZ Cherry Corp directors.

The Central App understands resource consents will still have to be approved for the development.

According to a website dedicated to Shannon Farm, it is being undertaken as a joint venture between NZ Cherry Corp and Wānaka-based property developer Infinity Investments.

The New Zealand Companies Office lists the directors of the NZ Cherry Corp company undertaking the project as Henry Van der Velden, Paul Croft and Neil Macdonald.