John MacDonald: Neighbourhoods change. That's life.

I can understand why people living at Pegasus, north of Christchurch, are upset about the golf course there being sold to a large property developer. But, at the same time, how long can anyone expect the area they live in to stay the same? And, while I might not make friends with the Pegasus people saying this, I think they are just going to have to accept it. What happened is we got a tip-off earlier this week that the golf course was about to be sold. The resort-style golf club opened in 2009 and was one of the key attractions for people who moved there, but the club went belly up in March, owing about $9 million to creditors. We were also told earlier this week that there was a plan to use the Government’s fast-track legislation to get houses built on the land. So our newsroom started looking into it. The Waimakariri Council said it was news to them. They said they hadn’t been approached about rezoning the land, and they knew nothing about it being fast-tracked. There was nothing about it on the Government’s fast-track website either. Then we found out that the deal on the land is due to be signed today, so maybe that will be the catalyst for trying to get it all fast-tracked. Much of the property would have to be rezoned for housing before it could be fully developed. I gather the first two holes on the course, as well as the clubhouse and the driving range, were rezoned by previous owners who had planned to build a resort and a hotel there. A housing development is not what Pegasus residents saw happening. They are gutted. “Heartbroken” is another way they’re describing the way they’re feeling. The question this all raises, though, is how long can we expect the areas we live in to stay the same? Whether we like it or not, I think it’s unreasonable to expect no change. The concerns people in Pegasus have about a housing development swamping the golf course and changing the nature or the vibe of the area where they live aren’t limited to Pegasus. And, yes, I’m sure having that big green area at Pegasus must be great. But nothing stays the same forever, wherever you live. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.