A victory in the fight to stop an American billionaire building a luxury lodge on iconic Cape Kidnappers has been hailed as a "win for all New Zealanders".
Tuesday, December 7th 2004, 5:32PM
by The Landlord
Objectors have won a "David and Goliath" battle to prevent Julian Robertson building a lodge near the world-famous Cape Kidnappers gannet colony in Hawke's Bay.
Yesterday, the Environment Court overturned Hastings District Council's resource consent, granted a year ago, for the multimillion-dollar lodge on the developer's sprawling 2000-hectare Cape Kidnappers Station.
It also criticised the council for its "uncompromisingly partisan" stance in support of the proposal.
The 72-year-old American, once known as the "Wizard of Wall Street", wanted the small lodge and 24 guest chalets to complement a golf course he had already built. A sunset room would have also been cut into the cliff face.
