Development could be under way in three months, reports Andrea Fox .

Building could get under way soon on a long-planned $10 million mixed apartment, cafe, retail and office development at Rototuna after two court challenges were resolved.

Graeme Matangi, spokesman for developer Rototuna Ventures, formerly Trig Developments, said it was hoped building would start in three months, with a 12-month construction time.

Progressive Enterprises, owner of the nearby Countdown supermarket, had withdrawn its appeal to the Environment Court, and an agreement had been reached with another challenger, Keith Houston, the owner of the Rototuna Shopping Centre opposite, Mr Matangi said.

Mr Houston is a Hamilton veterinarian and property investor, who claimed the development was being allowed with 35 per cent less car parking than normally required for a development of the size proposed, and that visitors to the complex would park in the Rototuna shopping centre.

Both challengers were satisfied their concerns about traffic effects would be addressed, the developer's lawyer, Joan Forret, said.

The Environment Court has yet to sign off on the resolutions, but Mr Matangi is confident building could start soon, after 20 months of planning.

The project will rise on a one-hectare property on the corner of Thomas and Horsham Downs roads.

On the opposite corner, a McDonalds and a mega Palmers store are planned.

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