The company said it was “curious” about Bishop’s decision, “particularly given the significant housing need in Canterbury”.
Wolfbrook has released its proposed masterplan for a 1000-home development on the former Pegasus Golf Course. The plan is indicative only and subject to change.
“We would note that the Fast-track Approvals Act specifically says that the minister may consider whether a project will increase the supply of housing, address housing need, or contribute to a well-functioning urban environment,” it said.
“The Pegasus development ticked all of those boxes.”
Bishop’s decision does not prevent Wolfbrook from submitting a new application and the company said it was considering its options.
An illustration of Wolfbrook’s proposed development on the former Pegasus Golf Course.
Wolfbrook said the decision came 15 working days after its application was lodged and five days after the Environmental Protection Authority deemed it complete and within scope.
It said about 20ha had been earmarked for community use, but because the golf course would not reopen and the planning process was likely to be prolonged, “there will now be considerable delay in the delivery of this amenity to the community”.
Local MP Matt Doocey has publicly opposed the development. He welcomed Bishop’s decision on social media and congratulated the Pegasus Residents Group.
The proposal has also been opposed by cricketing great Sir Richard Hadlee, a long-time resident and the first official member of the Pegasus Golf Club.
However, Wolfbrook disputed opponents’ claims that the Waimakariri district had enough land available to meet housing demand for the next 30 years.
Pegasus Golf Course was bought in a mortgagee sale by property developer Wolfbrook in May this year. Photo / Anna Heath
“We have heard similar forecasts before. Rolleston was once said to have decades of land supply available, but growth moved far faster than expected and that position changed within a matter of years,” Wolfbrook said.
“The Pegasus site already has significant infrastructure around it and is well positioned to accommodate future growth in a way that can help reduce unnecessary expansion into productive rural land.”
What is fast-track approval?
The Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 offers a permanent process for obtaining resource consents and a wide range of other approvals. According to the Government website, “fast-track brings these together into a streamlined process”.
The process is limited to infrastructure, housing and development projects with significant regional or national benefits. It involves all relevant authorities – but only as submitters, not decision-makers.
The Infrastructure Minister decides if projects are eligible for referral to the fast-track pathway.
If so, the applicant can lodge a substantive application. Expert panels then consider applications before determining whether projects are approved or declined. Decisions can be appealed on points of law to the High Court.
As of February, the fast-track process was taking an average of 128 days for decisions to be made on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.
The golf course is believed to have been purchased for about $7 million and industry-led estimates suggest a residential rezoning could increase that value to about $400m.