Major retail complex proposed for New Plymouth outskirts
Wednesday, 17 January 2018
A major retail complex offering shops, a hotel and a new cinema is being proposed for the outskirts of New Plymouth before a change in council rules that would limit such development.
The former Ravensdown site at the corner of Devon, Smart and Katere roads has been purchased by Blue Haven Commercial Ltd, which has lodged a land use consent with New Plymouth District Council (NPDC).
The Tauranga-based company wants to establish a commercial retail complex complete with food and beverage outlets, 30 specialty retail stores, a supermarket, a six-screen cinema, a hardware store, offices and a 75-room hotel.
The site would also become home to the Parapara-iti Pā, which would be used as a community and recreation space.
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The 7.44 hectare plot, which is just across the road from The Valley Mega Centre retail park, was purchased for an undisclosed amount in December 2016.
Though council would like to limit retail development in Waiwhakaiho to protect New Plymouth's retailers in the central business district, NPDC group manager strategy Liam Hodgetts said 'the slow-moving nature of plan changes' means controls won't be in place for some time.
The NPDC's proposed District Plan, which prioritises the protection and viability of the central city, will not be released until later this year.
Hodgetts said council was assessing the Blue Haven application to identify any further information required from Blue Haven before the application can progress.
Though council would have preferred the development be made in the central city, New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom said, the proposal was 'a sign investors are confident in the future of the Taranaki economy'.
In an emailed statement Holdom said council was focussed on growing the regional economy and Blue Haven had predicted the retail centre would do just that.
In November 2016 New Plymouth property developer Philip Brown proposed a $40 million hotel and retail centre to be built somewhere between Waiwhakaiho and Bell Block.
However he said he is unaware of Blue Haven's development.
Blue Haven Commercial is registered in Papamoa Beach and has five listed directors: David Latham, David Livingstone, Michael Livingstone, Colin Stevenson and Brian Stevenson.
The purchased site has been used as a fertiliser processing plant since the 1930s and is zoned for industrial use.
An asbestos survey conducted in June 2017 found about 1500 tonnes of asbestos in the walls, roof flat and corrugated cladding of buildings left on the site.
Nearby soils were also found to contain asbestos.
The proposed development has raised a few red flags with council as buildings would exceed height limits for the area, the plan has just half the parking spaces usually required, and structures would be located too closely to sites of significance.
Heritage New Zealand has confirmed a general archaeological authority would be required for the proposed earthworks on the Parapara-iti Pā.
The Pā redevelopment has been made in consultation with Ngāti Tawhirikura and will 'enhance their tribal presence', the application assessment said.
Resource consent will also be required from the Taranaki Regional Council to establish a bridge over the Mangaone Stream off Katere Rd. This application has not yet been lodged.
Approvals will also be needed from the New Zealand Transport Agency as the site proposes to change road markings, install new centre islands and erect more traffic lights on Devon Rd.
Shannan Bennett, David Livingstone, Michael Livingstone and Bluehaven CEO Nathan York have not returned requests for comment.
Remaining listed directors and shareholders could not be reached for comment.