Helios Solar has submitted its consent for a 660ha solar farm, costed at about $400million, on farmland between Naseby and Ranfurly.
During last week’s meeting, the Maniototo Community Board heard a report proposing the legalisation of Fennessy Rd.
The road runs off the Ranfurly-Naseby road for about 3.5km, providing access to some of the land where the proposed solar farm will be built.
The formed road frequently strays from the legally designated road.
The inconsistency was picked up by Helios during investigations.
Power lines generally have to lie on legal roads.
After discussions with the owner of the land next to the road, Helios applied to legalise Fennessy Rd by mapping the legal road to the existing formed road.
Central Otago District Council infrastructure manger Quinton Penniall said inconsistencies between legal and formed roads were not uncommon and were addressed on a case-by-case basis as they were discovered.
The cost of legalising the road would be spilt between the council ($8300) and Helios ($20,000) because it was seen as a public benefit.
The council will consider the board’s recommendation at next month’s meeting.
Helios spokesman Jonathan Hill said the company was pleased the community board supported the legalisation of the road.
"The consent application has been filed and we're working closely with council and other stakeholders, including Transpower, ahead of the notification of the consent application."
The company could not provide a definitive date for notification.
