Outlook bleak after factory decision

Keith and Val Gabrielle say a decision to allow a new factory next to their home in Hastings is "gut wrenching" and could prevent them from selling their home as a "rural lifestyle" property in the near future.

The Gabrielles opposed Razos Engineering's plan to build a second factory at its premises at 1409 Omahu Rd, west of the city, but Hastings District Council's hearings committee has just granted permission for it to go ahead.

The committee's decision followed a one-day resource consent hearing in August at which both parties put forward their cases.

Razos Engineering wanted to construct a 1720m2 building on a 1.2ha site to provide for its business expansion.

Val Gabrielle said she was "bitterly disappointed" to hear the building had been approved. She said the factory would face her living room and court yard, blocking out the sun to her home.

"We bought the property with the knowledge it had a rural outlook, it gave us some space and privacy, a feeling of being away from everyone.

"Now that's going to be invaded by the wall of the factory."

The Gabrielles had argued the land where the new building was to go was zoned plains, not industrial, and the committee should have taken that into account.

The area was, however, earmarked to be changed from plains to industrial in the future, to cater for projected industrial expansion.

Both parties had 15 working days to appeal the decision but Mrs Gabrielle said she didn't think she would oppose the decision.

"We are just going to take stock of how we feel," Mrs Gabrielle said.

"We don't want to move but if it's going to affect us, we will be forced to put it up for sale.

"We're not sure what the resale value will be now because we won't be able to market it as a semi-rural property when it has a big factory next to it."

She believed other residences on Omahu Rd were in a similar situation, located next to industrial businesses which could expand.

The committee put conditions on Razos Engineering's resource consent, restricting the hours of operation to 7.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 7.30am to 1pm on Saturdays. The operation would be limited to no more than 13 full-time staff and at no time should have more than 13 staff working on site.

Razos Engineering owner John Razos had originally opposed the staff restrictions because it would not allow the business to plan for growth.

Yesterday he said he could not comment because he was waiting for spelling errors in the decision document to be corrected by the council.

"We've only just got the information yesterday.

"We have read through it and at this stage we would have to be happy with the decision."