Queenstown Lakes District Council planning documents published this month reveal McDonald’s urban and environmental consultant, Hannah Hoogeveen of Barker & Co, asked Queenstown Lakes District Council senior planner Andrew Woodford to stop processing the application while she attempted to answer his questions about environmental management plans, earthworks, removal of vegetation, site fencing, urban design and other matters.
Mr Woodford has also suggested more questions about urban design could be coming McDonald’s way.
"Finally, ... it may be worth obtaining an urban design to address the proposed built form in relation to the surrounding area and how it will fit with the receiving environment. This point may well form part of a future further information request in due course," Mr Woodford said in an email to Ms Hoogeveen on November 30.
Ms Hoogeveen estimated she would need a week to gather the information but as of yesterday, the council planning file still contained the note "on hold at applicant’s request".
The council formally accepted the controversial McDonald’s application on November 22.
Once the required information is collected, there will be a decision whether the application should be publicly notified.
Wānaka is divided on getting a McDonald’s.
More than 5300 people have signed a petition against it.
