Campus expansion plans gain consent

Plans to expand Otago Polytechnic's Central Campus have received approval from the Central Otago District Council.

Construction of new facilities at our Bannockburn Rd site are on track to begin next year.

The project would not be affected by proposed national polytechnic reforms, campus manager Kelly Gay says.

The council's hearing panel has granted land use consent for the polytechnic to erect buildings at its Bannockburn Rd site, on the outskirts of Cromwell.

Otago Polytechnic has proposed a four-stage development to expand the Bannockburn Rd facilities and relocate some operations from its Cromwell site there.

The plan includes the construction of a new cooking and hospitality building, incorporating a retail cafe/restaurant; a retail outlet for the existing brewery; a distillery, comprising a teaching facility and retail outlet; new propagation facilities, including retail sales of plants grown on site; and other new student learning spaces and administration areas.

Otago Polytechnic has sought a 10-year, "flexible consent" because of the staged nature of the project.

Read the full story on the Otago Daily Times website.