Developer almost gave up on new township

Property developer Dave Henderson says he almost ditched plans for the Five Mile housing project in the midst of a lengthy legal battle.

Mr Henderson, of Property Ventures in Christchurch, considered pulling out last January when Transit NZ challenged the project. After spending about $1.5 million developing the plans, he was frustrated with the resource consent process.

But this week, Mr Henderson got an Environment Court ruling that he said cleared the path for the development on a flat, flood-free site.

The case between Gardez (formerly Terrace Towers) and the Queenstown Lakes District Council approved the new high-density mixed-use zone for the first stage of the project, which could house about 1000 people.

Mr Henderson appealed conditions imposed by the council to create 9m-high earth mounds around the development and changed the design so it would be more visually appealing.