A Bethlehem family believe a proposed housing development on their back doorstep is 'environmentally risky” and nothing more than profiteering on new housing legislation.

Council last week announced a developer is looking to develop 118 properties on the 12.5 hectare site at the northern end of Bethlehem road, opposite O'Connor Road, under Tauranga's Housing Accord.

Bethlehem resident Greg Brown with Tauranga City Council's information pamphlet on the proposed development backing on to his property in the background. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

The houses will have a price range between $360,000 and $500,000 and an average section size of 420m2.

But Greg Brown, who backs on to the proposed site, believes the general consensus among the neighbouring community is a firm ‘no'.

The family purchased their 11 hectare property three years ago after relocating from Auckland, and moved into the newly-built house a year ago.

'To be honest it just smack of profiteering off new legislation and rail roading of residents because the opportunity presents itself,” Greg says.

'The site, if approved, will be problematic because it is low lying and environmentally risky.

'The bulk of the land it's proposed to be built on is 1-2m above sea level and is on wetlands.”

According to council the site is within the West Bethlehem Urban Growth Area and has spilt zoning. Area A, closest to the road, will be zoned residential while Area B will be rural-residential with the development introducing a greater density of houses.

An initial infrastructure assessment shows sufficient capacity within the existing stormwater, wastewater, water and transportation network to accommodate the demands of the proposal.

But Greg is questioning a Bay of Plenty Regional Council notice received about four months ago advising their property is 'environmentally significant” because it borders the Wairoa River.

'This [housing accord proposal] is a direct contradiction,” he says.

SunLive is currently awaiting a response from the regional council on this statement.

In August the Tauranga Housing Accord was signed by Tauranga City Council and the Government to help address housing issues in the city.

One of the ways this will be done is by identifying specific sites in the city that are deemed suitable for new housing.

Greg says the family isn't opposed to development, just poorly thought-out choices that will negatively impact on the community – highlighting pockets of land in Bellevue as more suitable.

'We understand there is a requirement for additional housing but we think there is an enormous amount of land around Tauranga,” he adds 'We don't have a shortage.

'We are not opposed to strategic, well considered development, we just don't want someone shoving it down our throats.”

Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council are yet to respond with comment regarding Greg's accusations and information regarding the Wairoa River.