The Marlborough District Council has bought a developer's green space with funds from the developer's own pocket.
The Marlborough District Council has used fees collected from a housing subdivision to buy the subdivision's reserve.
Photo: LDR / Chloe Ranford
A rope bridge and "woodland walk" could be key attractions at a new reserve in Blenheim's Rose Manor estate, off Old Renwick Rd, bought by the council for just over $1 million.
It was paid for by fees charged to developers, used to offset the cost of linking sections to services and cover "growth issues", which would otherwise be covered by ratepayers.
Council property and community facilities manager Jamie Lyall said this included new playgrounds, like the one the council planned to put down at its new Rose Manor reserve.