Village proposal near skifield causes surprise

A proposal to develop a village housing up to 2400 people near the entrance to Cardrona skifield has surprised locals.

The proposal was presented at a Wanaka Community Board meeting by Queenstown Lakes District Council planning consultants yesterday and came as a surprise to councillors and board members, the Otago Daily Times reported.

The proposal involves 800 to 1000 units of residential and visitor accommodation units in a village which could house up to 2400 people.

Concerns were immediately expressed about the plan, which was presented as part of a rural visitor zone change proposal.

Upper Clutha Environmental Society secretary Julian Haworth urged the board to recommend the council reject the proposal.

"In landscape terms, it is not a good idea. It is not going to fly," he said. He later said it was his personal view and the community would need to be consulted.

- NZPA