New lifestyle sections could be opened up in Alexandra with local developer Russell Ibbotson hopeful his Dunstan Road development gains resource consent in his third attempt to subdivide.

The old William Hill Winery site would offer a range of 2000sqm to 3000sqm sections on the 16ha site, after a resource consent application was lodged with the Central Otago District Council two months ago.

Molyneux Lifestyle Village (MLVL) originally had its private plan change application turned down by council in 2017 and again in 2021, and Russell said he had already spent in excess of $500,000 attempting to develop the site.

Under new changes to the District Plan, the land has since been rezoned from rural residential to large lot residential, allowing for 1500sqm sections.

Alexandra developer Russell Ibbotson FILE SHOT

He said while the risk was much higher now, he felt he had an obligation to people, and was confident the sections would still be attractive to families looking for some space in a semi rural location.

Sections in the proposed subdivision had twice been sold off the plans, with purchasers forced to take their money elsewhere when it was declined by council.

Russell said it was most unfortunate that it had taken seven years to get his lifestyle subdivision advanced, with the community missing out on a $50million development.

“Development is all about timing and I think if you don’t do it right you are in danger of losing your shirt,” he said.

Alexandra had not had these sized sections available for many years, but there had been some available in both Cromwell and Roxburgh.

“It is a market that is somewhat different from a typical residential market. We’re aiming for people who would typically have to buy a 10ha block for a lifestyle section like this.”

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