A proposal to develop the Hastings Golf Club into one of the nation’s premier golf resorts with visitor accommodation and residential development similar to the Millbrook Resort in Queenstown, has been submitted to Hastings District Council.

The club has partnered with Golf Sport Development Limited Partnership (GSDLP) and lodged a private plan change request that would see club’s 82.12hectare site near Hastings moved from Plains Production Zone to a new “Heretaunga Golf Tourism Zone”.

GSDLP comprises former pro-golfer and renown golf course designer Greg Turner and golf tourism experts Ryan Brandeburg and David Moore.

The proposed concept would be similar to others developed in New Zealand, such as Millbrook. The golf club would benefit by getting a new clubhouse and an upgraded golf course, and it would get a 1.5% transfer fee from the resale of all homes.

The proposal said new zoning would enable the development of a high-class golfing facility and about 170 residential dwellings, including some offering short-term visitor accommodation.

It would see the relocation or rearrangement of some of the golf course, replacement and upgrading of the clubhouse and additions to various club facilities.

The residential dwellings would include single dwellings and terraced housing, with ownership to be secured in perpetuity through appropriate easements and covenants at the time of subdivision.