Accommodation for an influx of out-of-town construction workers for the new Dunedin Hospital will be built in a beachside suburb if a resource consent application is approved.
The Dunedin City Council is currently accepting submissions on the application by Christchurch company GK Accommodation Ltd to build 46 one-bedroom units at the former Brighton Caravan Park.
Construction workers would be moving to the city on a semi-permanent basis for eight years or more, the application stated.
"The result of the new Dunedin Hospital construction project is that a significant pool of construction workers will be from outside of Dunedin, and the corresponding need for worker accommodation," it said.
Many would be working for large firms and "fly-in fly-out" arrangements were predicted.
The application seeks to use the 10,081sqm site, home to nearly 20 people when it was sold last year, for residential activity once again.
The 46 units would be transportable and would house one person each, with a 3m by 6m design containing sleeping, living, cooking and bathroom facilities.
Shared facilities, such as 13 car parks and laundry services were also included in the proposal.
The proposal runs above maximum density limits, but the application argued this was a technicality, as the plan would mean more buildings, but fewer people than building limits provided for.
"The proposal is the residential use of residentially zoned land, albeit not in a form anticipated."
The title allowed a density of 20 residential units, which at 3.5 people per unit would result in 70 people on site, the application said.
"The consented environment provides for an expected occupancy of almost 50 people."
Plans to mitigate any effects included an on-site manager whose contact details would be displayed at the site entrance, the provision that units would not be rented or leased separately, and a layout preventing large groups from congregating.
The application argued against public and limited notification, stating there was nothing exceptional or unusual about it.
"The offered conditions of consent assist with the mitigation of effects, and overall, the proposal is assessed as having less than minor effects to the surrounding properties, while providing beneficial effects."
Saddle Hill Community Board chairman Scott Weatherall said the proposal could be beneficial, as those living in the units would use nearby shops and "put money back into our community".
The community board would make a submission if there was "a firm direction" from the community.
Community information evenings should be held by the developer to keep people informed as there had not been any communication so far, he said.
"I don’t think the community would be against what they’re aiming to do as long as they understand what the process is, and what the concept is, and what the end result might be."
Submissions close on September 30.
