Anger at plans to build houses inside domain

Tasman residents are angry about subdivision plans in a coastal block that has been open to public access for 40 years.

Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) Properties wants to subdivide 3.04 hectares in the middle of Kina Peninsula's 10.7ha LEH Baigent Memorial Domain.

The domain was formed by former Nelson forest company H Baigent and Sons as a memorial to one of its leaders, Lewis Baigent, after his death in 1967.

CHH Properties, which now owns the land, wants to develop eight sections and vest the remainder with the Tasman District Council as a reserve.

Opponents say Lewis Baigent always intended the land be a gift to the community, and the development will see another piece of coastal land lost to public access.

A Facebook page formed three days ago to save the domain had attracted 800 hits and more than 240 supporters by yesterday afternoon.

Lewis Baigent's nephew, Harry Baigent, said the family supported CHH's plans. The area was becoming run down and vandalised, and the subdivision and reserve status would see it tidied up, he said. "We would prefer the whole lot went to the council but believe the presence of houses will deter current criminal activity."

One of the Facebook page's founders, Aly Cook, said CHH's plans were a "moral ripoff and a corporate land grab". "It is the only large piece of local coastal land without houses on it and once it is built on the people of New Zealand will never get it back," Cook said.

Lewis Baigent's grandson, British author Michael Baigent, said the proposed development was a travesty.

He told The Nelson Mail his grandfather gave the land to the community for all to share.

Bordered by the Moutere Inlet and Tasman Bay, the domain is a popular recreation and camping site.

The public have helped plant thousands of native trees around the domain since 2000.

By yesterday afternoon the council had received 38 submissions on CHH's subdivision application, with just three in support. Submissions will close this afternoon.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Chrissie Small   #3   09:18 am Sep 03 2010

Carter Holt Harvey now owned by Graeme Hart (who appears to have forgotten he has one) has now reneged on all the good work that this company was well respected for within this Tasman Community...we certainly remember the possibilities that this once respected company promised to the local Children, who planted these on this Memorial reserve... Native trees. Tasman District Council announced Environment Award winners in 2006 and CCH were a winner, recoginised for these efforts of replanting this particular reserve to take it back to it's natural state! Now it (The new owners) want to develop 8 sections, with the outcome of built glass palaces that will oversee what was once a private and public Reserve for all to use. This is really does appear to be a land grab by New Zealands wealthiest man who obviously doesn't know when enough is enough, especially when it comes to small communities with big hearts for their locally gifted Reserves!

Andrew Dodson   #2   08:56 am Sep 03 2010

CHH have intentionally let this domain run down .. Prior to Rank Buying CHH the maintenance was very regular on the property. CHH has lessened the maintenance. Two days ago while the children of Tasman School were down there at the domain having orienteering through the hills .. A local police officer said to me that CHH would not even co-operate with Trespass notices on boy racers going to the domain. This immoral activity is done by developers in the UK who let public sites get run down so they can come in like a savior in the end to snatch the land and develop. and no need for more houses for security .. their are already a number of small batches. We never had problems till Rank took over CHH! This kind of behaviour by developers is nothing new CHH we are so on to YOU!!!

Aly   #1   08:43 am Sep 03 2010

People if you would like to support this cause .. Please join the facebook page and help stop this grab of a beautiful area intended for the enjoyment of the public. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Lee-Baigent-Memorial-Domain-Kina-Tasman-NZ/153869711295916?ref=mf Today is the last day for submissions ..Have your say !!! Thank you CHCH press for letting the people of NZ know that CHH are trying to do this !

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