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Orewa residents say their faith in local planning rules has been restored by a decision to turn down a proposal by retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare.
"We are happy that the Rodney District Council has upheld the District Plan," said Gordon Miller, one of 28 residents of The Grange housing estate who opposed the new village at a resource consent hearing in February.
Mr Miller said opponents asked only that the council stick to the plan when Ryman wanted to build - in front of their homes - a village that exceeded the plan's 9m height limit in parts by between 4.3m and 6.6m.
Council commissioners said the proposal did not sit comfortably with the established residential environment. It was contrary to the objectives and policies that sought to maintain the amenity values of neighbourhoods that all residents could reasonably expect. However, the proposal met the retirement needs of the community and there was a large degree of consensus that the site was suitable for a modified version of the proposal.
Ryman development manager Andrew Mitchell said the decision was disappointing. The company would appeal to the Environment Court but it would also look at whether a revised plan would suit its needs.
Ryman has 17 retirement villages including Grace Joel in St Heliers and Edmund Hillary in Remuera. Planning commissioners visited these to view the design and finish of the buildings, grounds and landscaping.
Mr Mitchell said the company was committed to building in Orewa.
Its proposal was a village of 17 separate buildings consisting of 231 apartments, 47 assisted living suites, a 60-bed resthome and associated community facilities.
