The value of building consents issued last month was up significantly because of two large developments, although the number of new houses remains flat.

Marlborough District Council issued 144 new building consents worth $25 million in May, up significantly from 99 new consents valued at $7m in April.

In May last year there were 140 new consents valued at $13m.

The new Pak `n Save supermarket and fuel site at the Westwood development on Middle Renwick Rd, worth $14 million, significantly boosted the consent values, compared with April when there were two commercial consents worth $330,000 and in May last year there were also two worth $2.3m.

Blenheim-based builders Robinson Construction are building the 6000 square metre supermarket and owner Phil Robinson said it should be finished by February or March.

"This is a fabulous job to have landed for the winter.

"It's an exciting project ... everything is running as good as we'd hoped, we've been really lucky with the weather."

The region's building industry was grateful for the extra work from new developments such as the pavilion at Endeavour Park in Picton, Bunnings Warehouse, the ASB theatre and Rangitane's cultural community centre in Grovetown, he said.

The redeveloped Churchill Private Hospital on Hospital Rd in Blenheim, worth $4m, was given the go-ahead last month.

The 1490sqm development will include a purpose-built day-stay suite and a 300sqm specialist centre.

The work will be carried out by T&D Construction Ltd and is expected to be finished by the middle of next year.

Housing consents remain flat, with only 10 new consents issued last month, worth $3.5m.

While this is up slightly from nine new houses worth $2.3m last month, it is down from 15 worth $4.2m in May last year.

The colder weather has brought an increase in new solid fuel consents issued last month, with 56 in May, up from 35 in April.

- The Marlborough Express

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