A divisive resource consent application is back on the table in Greytown.
South Wairarapa District Council [SWDC] issued a public notification today for 134 Main St – the proposal relating to a third access way to Greytown’s Fresh Choice supermarket.
The proposal put forward by Fresh Choice’s parent company Woolworths New Zealand, has a long and controversial history, with an original, and failed, application lodged in 2015 facing many detractors.
Fresh Choice said the proposed third access would mitigate a current health and safety risk presented by trucks manoeuvring in the carpark.
The most recent application has been on hold for several months since it was lodged in June last year, with many believing it dead in the water after Waka Kotahi NZTA waded into the debate.
The transport agency raised strong opposition to the proposed supermarket access via State Highway 2 [134 Main St] in a letter to SWDC in September, citing – among other concerns – the safety of a nearby pedestrian crossing.
“Due to the proximity to the proposed access to the pedestrian crossing, the intended use and the type of vehicles using the access, it is considered that this conflict cannot be resolved while maintaining a right turn into the site.”
A public notice from SWDC chief executive Harry Wilson said the council had received an application from Woolworths NZ Ltd for a land use consent to: Demolish a building and undertake new building and alterations within the Historic Heritage Precinct, establish a sign exceeding the precinct’s maximum size limit, and establish a vehicle crossing to SH2 [Main St].
The notice said hard copies of the application could be inspected at the Greytown Library and council offices in Martinborough.
The notice said any person may make a submission on the application, with a caveat for trade competitors of the applicant, who can only submit on adverse environmental implications and effects that do not relate to trade competition.
Submissions close on May 23, at 4pm. See today’s Times-Age, page 28 for more details.
