Methven Resort has been given the green light for major expansion plans, including two new accommodation wings and four spa pools.

Independent commissioner Darryl Millar granted the consent on December 22 with a raft of conditions.

He found the proposal would achieve the "purpose and principles of the RMA".

The consent is to build two additional accommodation wings, a 36-unit north wing and 40-unit west wing.

Plans also include an expansion of the existing restaurant/bar area to include outdoor seating, a new swimming pool and four spa pools, an expanded car park and access alterations.

The consent was processed on a limited notification basis and was opposed by landowners on the southern boundary, who had concerns about privacy and the new building impacting their views.

There was also contention over the relevance of a 1982 resource consent granted for the original build and that the plans are non-compliant with the district plan, as the site is residential zone C.

Methven Resort was originally built as Centrepoint Ski Lodge following the 1982 resource consent, but was not developed to the full extent provided for in the consent.

At the hearing held on October 26, the applicant’s solicitor, Gerard Cleary, argued the consent was still valid.

After seeking further legal advice from the council, Millar agreed.

“As a land use consent, it is enduring and unlimited in time.”

The 1982 consent “did not contain a condition requiring that the proposal proceed in accordance with plans submitted”.

“While the orientation and location of the wings do not align with the current proposal, contextually the 1982 consent provides for a scale and form of development that is not anticipated within the residential C zone.

“Arguably, the proposal before me represents a less intense urban form that could otherwise develop under the 1982 consent.”

As for the proposal being a non-complying activity, Millar determined that “any adverse effects associated with this proposal will be acceptable”, suggesting they would be no more than minor.

“While the proposal is not fully aligned with the relevant objective and policies of the [district] plan business and residential chapters, it cannot be considered contrary to them.”

Millar approved the consent with 31 conditions, which included several requirements to protect the privacy of the southern neighbours.

The resort has been a subsidiary of the Ultimate Global Group since May 2021, which is a New Zealand-based conglomerate that has a hospitality footprint across the country and Asia.

By Jonathan Leask