Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the 20-plus year saga of the future of land at Clevedon’s Wairoa River.

It is the first day of a hearing at the Environment Court over Westminster Properties’ proposed 279-home development at the area’s manmade canals.

A succession of developers have proposed building concepts for the area since the 1980s when a 375-berth marina was rejected by locals and the Environment Court, followed by a 1100 home development turned down in the 1990s.

The site is 4.5km from Clevedon village.

In order for this residential development to go ahead, Manukau City Council is considering re-zoning the area from Rural 1 to a maritime village zone.

Local residents’ group Clevedon CARES (Community Action for a Responsible Environmental Strategy) wants to keep the area rural, and is submitting appeals at the hearing.

“Re-zoning could open the way for further developments which could have a substantial and deleterious effect on the overall rural character of the Clevedon Valley and its adjacent areas,” Clevedon CARES spokeswoman Mary Whitehouse says.

There are 50 statements to be considered from the community, which takes pride in its “genuine country charm."

"It is our sincere hope that the Environment Court will find in favour of our and other appeals lodged against the plan change and that this will be the end of the matter," Ms Whitehouse says.

Two weeks have been set aside for the hearing.