Waimakariri mayor's plea for govt to reject development fast track on Pegasus Golf Course

Canterbury's Waimakariri district mayor is urging the minister responsible for fast-track approvals to reject any application for referral by a housing developer that owns Pegasus Golf Course.

Wolfbrook's purchase of the North Canterbury golf course has been widely opposed by locals, the district council and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey.

Mayor Dan Gordon said Wolfbrook had notified the council that it intended to use the fast-track consenting process to rezone the land for housing.

"This is disappointing news for the thousands of residents and supporters who want to see this important community asset protected," he said.

"[On Thursday] I co-signed a letter with community representatives to the minister responsible for fast-track approvals urging that any application to convert this land into housing be declined."

Gordon said more than 15,000 people had signed a petition against housing development on the site.

"Council's view is clear: developments that sit outside established growth areas, identified in our recently consulted on and adopted district plan and which have previously been considered and rejected through district planning or other Resource Management Act processes, should not be eligible for the fast-track pathway. However, any decision on an application will ultimately rest with the ministers," he said.

At a public meeting in June, Gordon said the new district plan already included capacity for plenty of new homes while ensuring the golf course maintained its special designation as part of the country's first master-planned town.

The council was continuing to investigate buying the golf course off Wolfbrook.

"Council is continuing to work with the Pegasus Residents Group Inc, local businesses and community members to explore a community-led purchase of the golf course. If a viable proposal can be assembled, we intend to present it to Wolfbrook as an alternative to development," Gordon said.

"The community has spoken loudly and clearly. We will continue advocating for the protection of this unique open space and support efforts to keep it in community use for future generations."

Wolfbrook has been contacted for comment.