Retired Wanaka GP Dennis Pezaro and his wife, Olwyn, have had their house site confirmed by the Environment Court, paving the way for construction to begin in an area described by the Queenstown Lakes district plan as "outstanding natural landscape".
Dr and Mrs Pezaro have owned their Cardrona Valley property since 1969 and following Dr Pezaro's retirement, decided they wanted to live there.
Their resource consent was challenged in the Environment Court by the Upper Clutha Environmental Society last year and the decision confirming the consent was released on February 16.
The decision contains variations to the original consent conditions to reduce the size of the building platform, limit the height of buildings and address design and landscaping concerns.
These were offered by the applicants during the court hearing.
Upper Clutha Environmental Society spokesman Julian Haworth said yesterday the society would not appeal the Pezaro consent.
The court has reserved costs.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council is seeking recovery of costs from the society.
The parties have about a month to determine costs and reach an agreement on who will pay what.
If an agreement cannot be reached, the parties may apply to the court for a costs order.
