The Richmond Baptist Church on Salisbury Rd is looking at potential options for the 1.25 hectares of land between the church and the state highway.
Chair of its property development team, Mark Morris, says the land is surplus to requirements and the church is simply paying to have the grass cut, so it is time to look at other options for it.
That has led to the church seeking expressions of interest for the development, sale or lease of the prime, flat piece of land. It is part of about three hectares owned by the church and Mark says any potential sale would require the area to be subdivided before a title could be issued.
It is zoned tourist services which he says is an unusual zoning that caters for businesses such as motels and restaurants. However, he says it has been earmarked for intensive development by the council, though that is not yet in its Long-Term Plan.
Subject to consents, the church lists residential, healthcare, educational, storage, office, retail and light commercial as potential options for the land.
Between zoning, access and the consent process, he says it is hard to put a value on the land, but that will be determined by the interest the church receives.
“It’s a difficult time in the market, but there definitely is interest. It’s a long-term process, whatever happens.”
