The proposed tiny-house community in Featherston. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
HAYLEY GASTMEIER
A proposal to build a tiny-house community to accommodate more than 100 families in Featherston is being put to locals.
Nelson’s Ian McComb has purchased 4.4ha of land on Harrison St East, where he wants to develop small, affordable houses with shared facilities and a food forest.
The resource consent for the proposed project, known as Brookside Featherston Village, will be submitted to the South Wairarapa District Council before the end of the year.
McComb hopes to start work on the development by March, 2019.
He said his primary objective was to offer inexpensive housing within a vibrant community.
The plan is to build around 100 small and tiny homes, ranging in size from 35m2 to 110m2, and priced between $190,000 and $390,000.
Four community houses, communal sheds, gardens, playgrounds, a creche, gym, and public reserve areas are also on the cards.
Housing and facilities would be accessed via two public roads.
With 25 years of experience in community development,
McComb said consultation was an important first step, as the subdivision had to meet the public’s needs.
He said many people from Wellington had moved to Featherston for the cheap houses, which had driven house prices up, pricing many locals out.
His sections would be ideal for small families, retirees who wanted to down size, and people who wanted a simple lifestyle, he said.
Due to the project’s unique nature, McComb anticipates some hurdles with the council.
On Sunday, he was at the Featherston Expo to talk about the development.
Featherston’s three councillors were also at the successful event.
Colin Olds praised McComb for consulting before lodging his resource consent application, while Ross Vickery said he’d be pushing for public notification during the consenting process.
Lee Carter said McComb’s idea addressed the housing crisis, however it was important to ensure that what went ahead suited future generations.
[…] Prior to lodging the Resource Consent we have consulted with the community at the Featherston Expo, written items for the Featherston Phoenix newsletter, run an online survey, spoken with the Community Board and many individuals. We also had a write up in the Wairarapa Times Age. […]
This man’s got money, and all he can think of is putting it towards helping out his community…Shucks can’t complain about bout that!
Top Man I say!!!
And I think this man deserves more than a DB!
Hi, am interested in this development, can you keep me updated. Please.
Awesome concept I have been talking with my sisters on some of our Maori land blocks BUT we don’t know where to start ???
I would love to here more about this as it progresses please add me to a mailing list if possible so I know when these are becoming available
One hundred percent yes to this, councils step aside and let it happen. This is a fantastic way forward.