A different developer this time but it looks like the Canon Street half of the former Orion site will house worker homes for up to 200 people. Resource consent was granted in January and residents notified on January 8.
Portacom will create the units, housing four bedrooms. Communal rooms such as a kitchen and gym will also be built on the site later this year.
A previous attempt by another company to create workers’ homes was abandoned during 2013. There is a shortage of rentals available with some workers couch surfing as an accommodation solution.
An article appeared in the Press on February 14 quoting SARA co-chair Emma Twaddell in apparent support of the development. Question marks still remain over the possible soil contamination on the site.
