Part of the Freeway Orchard has been cleared ready for the next stages of the Prospectors Park subdivision in Cromwell.

CHP Developments (John and Kay Searle, along Richard Wallis and Catherine Woods), who used to own the Cromwell Top 10 camping ground, were first granted consent back in 2018 for a 173-lot subdivision on the former accommodation site.

The subdivision and development have been staged over five years, starting with new houses facing Alpha St and the Dunes.

The company purchased part of the Freeway Orchard block on State Highway 8b, adjacent to Prospectors Park two years ago, with the intention of extending the development.

CHP Developments is now waiting for Plan Change 19 to be operative, when the 5.7ha block will be rezoned from rural to medium density residential.

Resource consent will also need to be obtained from the Central Otago District Council.

The new subdivision plan. PHOTO: Supplied

Director John Searle said they planned to have construction starting on the subdivision by next winter (2025), opening up the land for 85 further sections.

“We have a lot of interest from clients and building companies that are looking for more sections in the town.”

In Alexandra, the Central Otago District Council’s Dunstan Park joint venture subdivision was also progressing slowly, with the latest ‘status report’ outlining that stage four curbing had been complete and road seal would commence in the spring.