The online hearing resumed yesterday after a 12-day delay in proceedings and relates to the proposed plan change 14 to allow NZ Cherry Corp (Leyser) Limited Partnership to develop an up to 160-lot subdivision on 142ha of land, alongside a multimillion-dollar 29ha cherry orchard expansion.
The hearing before independent commissioner Gary Rae and Central Otago District Council hearings panel chairman Neil Gillespie previously adjourned on May 28.
Yesterday, Roger Gibson spoke on behalf of Horticulture New Zealand about the quality and productive capacity of the soils on the site and believed its ‘‘high-class’’ nature should be recognised and the subdivision limited to block sizes which optimised potential use of that soil.
NZ Cherry Corp general manager Ricky Larsen said it was the company’s intention to use an existing groundwater permit and storage as the primary source of water for the orchard extension, supplemented by the Ripponvale Irrigation Company scheme.
Mr Rae said the volume and complexity of evidence needed to be considered and said he and Mr Gillespie would visit the site next week.
Mr Gillespie said that gave the proponent time to make further submissions on the proposal before adjourning the hearing to a later, unconfirmed, date.
