Vodafone New Zealand's plan for a 30m communications tower near Brighton has been dealt a blow, after a Dunedin City Council resource consent hearing was abandoned amid accusations of obstruction.
Yesterday morning's hearing ended 90 minutes after it started, after hearings committee chairman Cr Colin Weatherall said he was "not satisfied" the limited public notification of the proposed tower had been adequate.
Vodafone applied for consent to build the tower on council land overlooking Brighton, 1.5km from Brighton Beach and 2km from the Saddle Hill conservation area.
Council planner Jeremy Grey recommended consent be granted with only limited notification for two homeowners living 85m and 160m away, because the tower's impact would be "no more than minor".
That was despite the tower's height breaching a 12m limit for a rural residential zone contained in the council's district plan.
However, council senior planner John Sule began yesterday's hearing by noting complaints from other Brighton residents, who had since objected to the lack of public notification.
Vodafone's plans were revealed in the Otago Daily Times on Saturday.
Mr Sule said staff "stand by the decision" to opt for limited notification, but recommended the committee reconsider notification before proceeding.
Aurecon planning consultant Mark Allan, appearing for Vodafone, was concerned further notification would lead to delays that "unfairly disadvantaged" Vodafone.
The company had followed the council's notification process throughout, and doubted further submissions would bring new evidence to the panel, he said.
Instead, he suggested listed submitters call other Brighton residents as witnesses during their own presentations.
The suggestion was rejected by submitters Stephen Wilson and Ross McLeary, of Brighton, with Mr Wilson saying it would be "inequitable" to call residents at late notice, without time to prepare.
"We are not going to be party to anything that's not fair," he said.
He also claimed to have been told by council planning staff he was not an affected party - a position later reversed - and advised to seek a judicial review if he was unhappy.
Ms Swann had also been advised her only option was to seek a High Court injunction.
Following deliberations, Cr Weatherall said the hearing would be "set aside", with Vodafone to resubmit its application at a later date after the extent of notification then reconsidered.
Vodafone representatives declined to comment to the ODT after the hearing.
Towering tale
• Vodafone applies to build 30m communications tower on council-owned land near Brighton.
• The tower, near an existing Telecom facility, aims to improve mobile coverage and meet growing customer demand.
• Dunedin City Council staff opt for limited notification, meaning most Brighton homeowners not consulted.
• Submitters at yesterday's hearing argue for full public notification of Vodafone's proposal.
• Council hearings committee abandons resource consent hearing; "not satisfied" limited public notification was adequate.
• Vodafone's Brighton resource consent at centre of debate
