New supermarkets, roads, housing … Flaxmere is hot!
So why not a racecourse?
Here is Hasting District Council’s appeal for your views …
Community feedback on the proposed new racecourse in Flaxmere is being sought, following the lodging of several related applications with Hastings District Council.
Portsmouth Land Company Limited has submitted the applications on behalf of Hawke’s Bay Racing. It is proposing a new racecourse, racing and training facilities, events space, some commercial activities, and potentially housing.
Council chief executive Nigel Bickle said Council’s role is to independently manage the legal process, assess the applications under the relevant legislation, and hear from the community before making any decisions.
“This is a private proposal that has been lodged with Council, and no decisions have been made. Our role is to ensure there is a fair and transparent process, and that the community has the opportunity to understand the proposal and have a say.”
Three separate but related applications have been lodged with Council:
• a private plan change to enable the racecourse and related activities
• an application to purchase Council-owned land known as Ramsey Crescent Reserve
• an application for an easement over part of a reserve at the end of Flaxmere Avenue to provide access to the proposed development.
The proposal would see a new racecourse established on Portsmouth Rd in Flaxmere, eventually replacing the current facility in central Hastings.
Most of the land required for the proposed racecourse is already privately owned by the applicant.
The applications involving Council-owned land will enable access to the proposed racecourse.
Council has not made any decisions on either the proposed land sale or easement.
Under the private plan change application, Council will consider matters including traffic, noise, lighting, water infrastructure, effects on neighbouring properties, cultural and environmental values, and how the development would look and function within the surrounding area.
Mr Bickle said it was important people understood they could comment on any or all parts of the proposal.
If approved, the private plan change would not automatically allow construction to begin. Further approvals, including resource consents, building consents and engineering approvals, would still be required.
Submissions opened on Saturday 23 May and close at 5pm on Friday 26 June.
People can review the proposal and make submissions on the plan change and reserves applications online at https://www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz/hdc/, or by completing a paper submission form at Hastings, Flaxmere or Havelock North libraries, or by posting submissions to Hastings District Council, Private Bag 9002, Hastings 4156.
