Warehouse gets go ahead for mega Palmerston North store

Work on the Warehouse's controversial mega store in Palmerston North is due to start this month after the company received the final go-ahead yesterday.

Independent commissioner Paul Cavanagh yesterday issued a resource consent after two years of challenges from the Railway Land Action Group and -- for part of the time -- Progressive Enterprises, which owns Countdown and Woolworths.

Part of the objections centred on the fact that the land was not offered to anyone but the Warehouse and that there was little, if any, consultation.

The consent Mr Cavanagh issued is non-notifiable, meaning there will be no more consultation or appeals.

Former mayor Mark Bell-Booth and the previous council agreed to the sale of the land in September 2002, but the deal was in limbo until the appeals process was exhausted.

Peter Eathorne, general manager of City Contact, which deals with building permits for the city council, said the commissioner's decision drew a line under a painfully long process.

"It has been quite drawn out, but we are expecting to receive the money ($4 million) by electronic transaction in the next day or two," he said.

"The Warehouse is keen to start work as soon as possible, because it was unable to commence construction until the sale was completed."

Marilyn Bulloch, who led opposition to the sale of the land, was stoic about the decision.

"We are pleased that we fought the battle, but it is sad to see it go, all the same," she said.

"In a way, I blame the previous councils for not doing enough to protect the railway land.

"I guess it was a battle that we would have preferred not to have to fight. When we withdrew our appeal it meant the whole thing could go ahead once the council voted for a zoning change."

That change was voted in July and brought the $4 million sale a step closer.

The city council will be responsible for putting in 156 car parks.

- NZPA