Commissioners 'shocked' at visibility of billionaire Peter Thiel's Wānaka luxury lodge plans
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
US billionaire Peter Thiel’s proposed Wānaka luxury lodge has been rejected, after commissioners were shocked to find it would be plainly visible from a nationally-recognised walkway.
They turned down his plans due to the “significant adverse landscape and visual effects” it would have on the sensitive environment.
Thiel’s company Second Star Ltd proposed building a lodge on a 193-hectare section at Damper Bay to accommodate up to 30 guests across three buildings.
Three independent commissioners, on behalf of the Queenstown Lakes District Council, made the decision.
The site was classified as an Outstanding Natural Landscape (ONL), which meant it could accommodate only a small-scale of development, the decision says.
The proposed development would be clearly visible from the Glendhu Bay track, which is part of the national Te Araroa trail.
Commissioners walked along the trail and were “shocked” by how often the lodge would be in plain view, including a continuous length of 1-2 storeys of glass walls.
“The commission did not see the re-vegetation area likely to provide any visual screening effect of note,” the decision says.
The commissioners found the positive effects for the local Wānaka economy and ecology of the area did not offset the adverse effects.
A public hearing was held on the proposal in May, when Thiel’s legal team failed to convince a Queenstown Lakes District Council planner to change her opposition to the plan.
Environmental groups and some neighbours also opposed.
After the hearing, plans for a meditation pod at the lodge were dropped in an effort to win approval.
The proposed lodge would sit near the centre of some of Wānaka’s most intensely debated and sought-after landscapes.
It has been designed by Tokyo Olympic Stadium architect Kengo Kuma and Associates.
It would be set into the landscape, with “green” roofs covered with plants.
30 Years of Homes & Gardens
It’s NZ House & Garden’s 30th birthday, and to celebrate they’ve put together a great offer that’ll light up your home. Purchase or gift a 1 or 2-year subscription to NZ House & Garden and receive a Living Light luxury soy candle worth $56.90 for FREE*.
Enjoy inspirational home & garden content, convenient monthly home delivery, exclusive subscriber-only discounts, up to 27% off retail, and a Living Light luxury soy candle worth $56.90 when you become part of the NZ House & Garden community. *T&Cs apply.
Keep yourself protected against Covid
It might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, keeping up to date with the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free. And recommended for you and many others as long as you haven’t had the vaccine, or Covid, in the last 6 months.
To book your vaccination, or talk to your healthcare provider.
Do you volunteer or know someone who does?
It's NZ Volunteer Week (16-22 June) and we know there are real good sorts in your community.
Often these kind acts and regular volunteering efforts go unnoticed but let's put a stop to that.
Let us know below who is making a difference in your neighbourhood so we can all appreciate them for the great work that they do!
Loading…
