The Matukituki Trust has reapplied for resource consent to build a house on Roys Peninsula, after reaching a mediated agreement with the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
The application has been made because the trust hopes to avoid having to return to the Environment Court to appeal the refusal of consent for a house on its 108ha section overlooking Lake Wanaka.
The trust, which is associated with Auckland property consultant Greg Marler, has argued for its rights to develop the land in several judicial forums since 2003 and has suffered several rejections.
With the agreement of the council, the proposed site of the house has been moved down from a prominent knob to a lower site in a saddle between two knolls.
In mediation, the Upper Clutha Environmental Society did not agree to the saddle site but did offer a third, even lower alternative location as an option it could live with.
The trust rejected the third option.
The UCES challenged the jurisdiction of the court to consider the new saddle site, arguing it was not within the scope of the original resource consent application.
The trust considered its options.
It felt if it continued with the Environment Court hearing, there was a risk the saddle site might not be approved, even if the court thought it might be suitable.
As a result, it has put the Environment Court proceedings on hold and lodged a fresh application for a dwelling on the saddle site.
The peninsula has a lengthy history of intensive farming.
If the consent is not granted, the trust will return to intensive farming rather than proceed with its plans to commence an ecological restoration programme on 90% of the land, the application states.
The trust has also agreed with the council and John May of Just One Life Ltd, who is a neighbouring landowner, that if consent is granted, then only one of two proposed farm buildings will be built.
According to information held by Lakes Environmental, the single-storyed house would be set low into the ground and have a turf roof.
The applicant believes the house will not be seen from Wanaka township, Glendhu Bay and parts of the lake.
Distant views were possible from elevated positions such as Treble Cone, Diamond Lake and Roys Peak, but the house would be difficult to see, the application states.
Public submissions close on July 10.
