More rural land on the outskirts of Wanaka could be developed if plans for two subdivisions are approved by independent commissioners.
Two resource consent hearings will be held in Wanaka this week on plans by Ballantyne Barker Holdings Ltd and Criffel Deer Ltd to subdivide land in Mt Barker and Ballantyne Rds into rural residential lots.
Michael and Caroline Garnham, of Wellington, are directors of both companies.
They want to subdivide 48ha of land near the Cardrona River in Ballantyne Rd into nine residential lots. Most of the land, about 40ha, will be kept as farmland.
They also applied to subdivide about 6.8ha of rural land in Mt Barker Rd, also near the Cardrona River, into three residential lots.
Council planners Erin Stagg and Sarah Gathercole have recommended both proposals be refused because of their effects on the rural character of the area and the visual impact on the landscape.
In total, 13 submissions opposed the developments, mostly on the grounds they were outside the Wanaka urban development zone.
Some submitters were also concerned that if the developments were approved more land in the area would be developed into residential housing, further eroding the rural character.
In their submission, Black Peak Rd residents Robert and Sharynne Le Brun said they had bought their property in 2015 to enjoy the rural lifestyle the area provided.
If the development in Ballantyne Rd was approved, they faced the prospect of three new neighbours with houses facing directly into their property.
Ballantyne Rd resident Grant Cochrane supported the development.
Allowing development south of the town made sense and would stop it spreading around the edge of Lake Wanaka, Mr Cochrane said in his submission.
As Wanaka spread south it made sense to provide for rural-residential type activities, he said.
The hearing on the Ballantyne Rd proposal was at the Edgewater Resort from 10am on Wednesday.
The hearing on the Mt Barker Rd development will be at the Edgewater Resort on Thursday at 1pm and on Friday starting at 10am.
