Warehouse says red tape may end $20m Hamilton store plans

Discount retailer The Warehouse Group says it may pull out of a $20 million Hamilton development over resource consent and red tape demands.

The Warehouse wants to build an 11,724sq m store on an Anglesea St site owned by Waikato tribe Tainui. The project is valued at $20 million.

Group property manager Glen Inger said delays in getting resource consent and unreasonable demands from the Hamilton City Council meant it could pull out of the project.

He said the council was "dragging its heels" and that it was a "marginal call" on whether the consents were issued or not.

Council environmental services group manager Graeme Fleming said The Warehouse was subject to the same compliance issues as any other organisation.

While most resource consent issues had been resolved a few remained, mainly over the number of carparks on the site.

"Staff are working through non-compliance issues with them (The Warehouse)," Mr Fleming said

The problems identified by council staff were legal requirements and they would not be wavered by political pressure, he said.

- NZPA