Supermarket uses new system to gain consent

Supermarket giant Progressive Enterprises has been granted consent to build a Countdown and five shops in the Warkworth town centre in the first direct referral to the Environment Court since the law changed in October.

The fast-track move, which dispensed with the usual local authority planning hearing into the merits of the proposal, was agreed to by Rodney District Council.

Direct referral was introduced in the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining Amendment Act). Progressive argued use of the provision was warranted because of the $22.4 million project's minimal effects and the risk of trade competitors further delaying the development plans.

The application was received by the court on February 19 and officially received consent on June 15.

Environment Judge Jeff Smith said that after pre-hearing talks and negotiations, any opposition to the bid had evaporated by the time of the June hearing.

An interested party was National Trading, the property arm of Foodstuffs, on behalf of the town's existing supermarket operators New World and Four Square.

Traditionally, when the supermarket chains line up against each other's plans in court, long waits for consent are the norm.

In the most extreme case, the Pak'n Save Wairau Park, on the North Shore, took 20 years from site purchase to the opening last May.

In the Warkworth case, the court said the only remaining issues among parties were the wording of conditions for traffic management and shop tenancies.

The design had been made to integrate with the town centre and Neville St and the court was confident "it will lead to an increase in vibrancy and vitality of the area generally".

From a site visit, the court considered development of retail in this part of town was likely to have significant benefits for the surrounding area.

The district council, which had to process the application and prepare a report for the court, was awarded $19,000 costs. Strategy and policy director Warren Maclennan said the council supported the direct referral and thought the design was a good compromise.

Progressive's property general manager, Adrian Walker, said the Countdown store was likely to open in December next year.

WARKWORTH COUNTDOWN PLAN
* Corner of Mill Lane and Neville St.
* $22.4 million project.
* 3494sq m floor area.
* 3027sq m retail space.
* 5 shops.
* 160 jobs (estimate).