Coutts' golfing getaway missing council consent

America's Cup yachtsman Russell Coutts' private nine-hole golf course above Arrowtown has been built without the appropriate land-use consent.

The par-29, 1685m course was designed by golfer Greg Turner's company, and is virtually complete.

Because of its position on the Queenstown landscape and the amount of earthworks, the course, on a 41ha rural property, requires retrospective land-use consent.

An application filed last month stated the "owner of the site considers that it is desirable to use the land as a private golf course" but no consent was sought before earthworks began.

Mr Turner said in the application that the project had grown from its original concept when a pond had to be reinforced and retaining work done beside a field.

Lakes Environmental council planning manager Brian Fitzpatrick said it was "not unusual" to receive retrospective applications. Despite work being completed, there were no guarantees the course could remain there.

The course is on the grounds of Fairview, also known as Barley Station. Two other applications filed in June related to rebuilding and adding to the property's main house, which was badly damaged by fire in April.

Another consent relates to the construction of a 100sq m tennis pavilion, kitchenette and an outdoor barbecue- dining area.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES