Although resource management commissioners had denied consents for a $16 million Countdown store and shopping centre in Palmerston North, mayor Grant Smith urged Progressive Enterprises not to give up their plans.
“The last thing I want is for these guys to walk away,” said Grant, whose council was accused of being too hard for developers to work with. Grant added, “We can’t just roll over and ignore the rules. I have been to them, without prejudices, and have left the door open to have a discussion, and I hope they take that offer up.”
Since August last year, the project repeatedly failed to provide an integrated neighbourhood centre, and the latest council’s denial might have seriously put 100 prospective jobs at stake. It would be an undesirable upshot for Palmerston North, which deals with a high youth unemployment rate.
“Somehow we need to support initiatives to address this, or we will see an increase in crime, suicides and poverty rates in the city and region,” said city councillor Adrian Broad.
Progressive Enterprises will have time until the end of November to appeal the denial, but the company has not announced its decision yet.
