LAWRENCE GULLERY
Ngatarawa Development Trust's plans to build the homes at Hawke's Bay Golf Club, Bridge Pa, came before independent commissioner Alan Watson yesterday in the first of a four-day hearing at the Hastings District Council chambers.
The Hawke's Bay and East Coast Aero Club, which operated from Bridge Pa, supports the proposal but Hawke's Bay Today understands during the course of the hearing individual members of the club, testifying as nearby residents, will oppose the project.
They were concerned a residential development so close to an aerodrome would bring about issues of noise that could prevent aircraft from operating.
There was also a perception a nearby housing development would prevent the aerodrome from expanding a pilot training programme.
Helicopters Hawke's Bay, New Zealand Aerial Mapping and Avionics Hawke's Bay all oppose the project because they believe the development does not protect the future development of Bridge Pa Aerodrome.
All three parties will speak at the hearing this week. Ngatarawa Development Trust's director, Mike Toogood, also a commercial operator of the aerodrome, yesterday testified residents at the new development would sign "no complaints" covenants to live at the golf course.
The covenant, in part, would go towards protecting operations at the aerodrome.
Mr Watson wanted to know if there was likely to be any change in the type of aircraft operating from the aerodrome. He asked Mr Toogood if the site had the potential to service domestic aircraft, like those that service Hawke's Bay Airport, in the future.
Mr Toogood said the aerodrome would need a "larger runway" to support such aircraft.
"So you are saying you don't see any future growth at that airport, is that right?" Mr Watson asked.
"I have no doubt there will be some growth but it's a little hard to predict," Mr Toogood replied.
Mr Toogood told the hearing he had attended a special general meeting of the aeroclub where it was clear some were concerned about the development.
"Vigorous discussion and debate took place. In the final analysis a vote was taken," he said.
Mr Toogood said of the 140 members at the meeting 110 votes were recorded in favour and 30 against the development.
"I am aware of the submissions that have been received from a small group of aircraft owners, some who live in Valentine Road that are opposing this application," he said to the hearing.
About 40 people sat in on the hearing as the trust put its case in favour of the development to the independent commissioner.
Legal counsel for the Trust, Alison McEwan, called upon six witnesses yesterday to support the development.
This morning Mrs McEwan was due to ask consultant Andrew Prosser, from Traffic Design Group, to speak about the development's main access point, Valentine Road.
Mr Prosser would explain how the road was capable of handling extra traffic generated by the development.
Mrs McEwan said Neville Hegley, from Hegley Consultants, would address noise issues associated with the nearby aerodrome and noise generated by neighbouring horticultural operations.
Bridge Pa airport noise issue feared
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