A resource consent hearing to decide the future of the Dunedin City Baptist Church's plan to build a church in Concord begins today.
The church is planning a large facility on 7.4ha of rural land beside Dunedin's Southern Motorway at Concord.
The proposal will include a 3900sq m main church building, including an auditorium, chapel, classrooms, offices, kitchen, multipurpose gym and child-care facility. Nearly 300 car parks are planned and a separate three-bedroom caretaker's house is also to be built on the site, which is bounded by the Southern Motorway to the north, and Main South Rd to the east and south.
The proposal has attracted 29 submissions; 26 opposed, one in support and two neutral.
Council planner Peter Webb has recommended the application, which will be heard by city councillors Colin Weatherall, Richard Walls and Andrew Noone, be declined, because of effects on the environment, including unresolved hazard issues, and visual effects.
