The date for the hearings of the subdivision application at Wainuiototo Bay/New Chum Beach has been set for the first week in May.

The subdivision application has received high public interest across New Zealand and internationally with a total of 187 submissions received and over 80 submitters requesting to be heard.

The hearing committee will be made up of three independent commissioners.

'The Chief Executive and the chair of the Judicial Committee will appoint the panel of independent hearings commissioners from council's approved Commissioners List,” says Planning Manager, Michael Jones.

The application made by Ross and Deidre Mear is for a four lot subdivision, all approximately 15 hectares in size, together with a fifth beach conservation lot, of 1.2 hectares.

The beach lot is proposed as a conservation area allowing for public access along the beach.

The hearing is expected to last a week and is open to the public.