A controversial plan to build a wastewater treatment plant at Clyde will be further discussed at a pre-hearing conference of the Environment Court in Alexandra.
A date for the conference, which was scheduled after the first was adjourned on December 15 last year, has not yet been confirmed.
The issue relates to the Central Otago District Council's plan to construct and operate a treatment plant near Muttontown Rd at Clyde, which has drawn opposition from nearby landowners and residents.
In early 2008, the CODC gained approval for redesignation of a 5.4ha Clyde property for the treatment plant, after its previous land designation lapsed in 1998.
The council had proposed to use the site for such development years ago, and sought to have the land redesignated in order for it to be achieved.
In the meantime, zoning for some land nearby had changed, allowing small lifestyle blocks to be developed in the area.
Although no houses were situated within 150m of the proposed wastewater plant site, some landowners and residents in the area vehemently opposed the planned development.
George and Nickie Gallagher, who own Claudleigh Estate Ltd, a vineyard on Muttontown Rd beside the site, appealed the redesignation to the Environment Court.
Opposing submissions on the proposed plant were lodged by 29 other parties, while one was lodged in support and two formed a neutral stance.
During an initial consent hearing for the redesignation, it was proposed nearby land values could fall by up to 55% due to the proposal, although that assumption was given little weight.
Other concerns related to views of Clyde from the Otago Central Rail Trail and Clyde hill being compromised by such a development.
CODC utilities manager said the Clyde site was suitable for a treatment plant as land had the right amount of fall, no houses were within 150m of the planned development, it was owned by the council, and was close to the Clutha River should that be required for the discharge of treated effluent.
Judge Jon Jackson, who adjourned last year's conference on the matter, has been dealing with the proposed Project Hayes wind farm development and is scheduled to be tied up with its appeal hearing until at least February 20.
