The developer of a proposed worker accommodation complex near Queenstown’s BP roundabout is ‘‘very surprised’’ at an 11th-hour request to redesign it — but says he’s doing his best to accede to it.
An Environmental Protection Authority panel considering fast-track consent for a 554-unit complex — between the Frankton cemetery and Hansen Rd — has asked the developer to remove one storey from five of its eight buildings to better reflect the character of the surrounding environment.
It originally gave Aussie developer, No. 1 Hansen Rd Ltd, just seven working days to make the changes, but has now pushed the deadline back a week to this coming Monday.
No.1 Hansen Rd director Eli Shellim says he’s ‘‘very surprised’’ at the last-minute request, ‘‘but we want to keep trying our best to make everyone happy’’.
‘‘We really believe this is an important opportunity for the whole community of Queenstown.
‘‘Workers deserve a housing solution.’’
The plan was to house up to 710 workers.
Asked if downsizing the complex wouldn’t reduce the number of people they can house, Shellim says ‘‘our designers are working on a solution to try and maintain a substantial amount of accommodation’’.
As to whether it’d affect the development’s economic viability, as the panel itself has raised, ‘‘we are working hard towards balancing what the panel has requested and the economic viability of the project’’.
