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The largest residential development in Havelock North in the last seven years will be released to the market over the next six months.
Greenstone Land Developments which has a successful track record of residential developments in Havelock North and Hastings has purchased the ex-Arataki Motor Camp.
The company bought the camping ground from the former owner, who recently purchased it back from the Crown, after the land was deemed no longer suitable for education purposes.
Greenstone Land Developments director Tim Wilkins said site preparations are well underway for the development with 39 residential sections planned ranging in size from 400m2 to 750m2.
The first stage of 9 sections is expected to go to market in June, but already Greenstone has had more registrations of interest than sites available.
Sales manager Peter Cooke said interest is already high following the listing of information on the Greenstone website yesterday.
“This isn’t surprising since it’s the largest release of land in Havelock North for some time, and follows the same strong demand we experienced with our large residential development in Lyndhurst, Hastings”.
Mr Wilkins has kept a close eye on the Arataki Camp Ground site since he purchased and developed adjacent land in 2004.
“That development, Arataki Mews, sold quickly and those who missed out asked about the potential of the camp ground site. We’re now thrilled to be able to offer new sections in Havelock North,” he said.
De-commissioning the camp ground and clearing the 70 plus buildings including 20 cabins is already underway, with some of dwellings being purchased for RSE worker accommodation and a number of caravans sold to the Hastings and Mahia Motor Camps.
“There’s a lot of work to do to clear the site and our aim is to recycle as much as possible. It’s been an eye opener walking through and seeing what was left behind, everything from bedding and televisions to barbeque tables. There is also an indoor swimming complex, a cinema and library,” Mr Wilkins said.
Greenstone has submitted a resource consent with the Hastings District Council. It has also submitted engineering plans for onsite infrastructure and services.