Toi Toi housing development breaks ground
A housing development in Victory that has been two decades in the making has finally broken ground.
Toi Toi Grove is a 202-dwelling development planned for the north-facing hillside below Princess Dr and above Toi Toi St.
First mooted in the early 2000s, it will include a combination of free-standing houses and three-storey buildings, with reserves, walkways, and a community garden. It will also include a road that will come off Princes Dr and run along the ridge before heading down to Toi Toi St.
Developer Garry Adcock said the project has been besieged with red tape.
“It’s been a long time coming. There’s been a few hoops to get through and the process of consenting and design has been going on for years. I was wondering if it would ever happen in my lifetime.”
In 2016, the development was approved as a Special Housing Area (SHA) after the Nelson City Council entered a Housing Accord with the Government. Preliminary earthworks have now begun near the top of Toi Toi St, near the roundabout.
“We’ve been working in amongst the drier days and we’re just about ready to get underway in earnest,” says Garry.
He says they are aiming to have the first allotments above Toi Toi St ready for houses by November 2022. Dwellings above Emano St, on the other side of the hill, may still be another six to eight years away.
Garry says the development won’t encroach on any council reserves, including Bob’s Track.
“None of the walking tracks will be touched - in fact we’ll be creating even more walkways in the development.”
Council’s group manager environmental management, Clare Barton, says the progress is good news for Nelson’s tight housing market.
“Council is pleased to see new housing supply is being brought to the market at Toi Toi Grove. This area is close to shops and schools and is also close to the city centre.
“There is the potential for an extra 200 homes for Nelson which all helps to provide additional much-needed housing.”
Councillor Matt Lawrey says he hopes Toi Toi Grove will give people more affordable places to live that are close to town.
“Unlike Kaka Valley, it won’t lead to the character of an undeveloped valley changing forever. I’m hoping that over time it will really enhance the Victory community.”