The decisions version of Coast-wide district plan was publicly notified on October 10.

Appeals needed to be in by December 8, after the Environment Court granted a two-week extension at the request of Forest and Bird.

The TTPP committee, made up of council and iwi leaders, aimed to create an ‘enabling’ document for industry, within the limitations of environmental laws.

But four of the region’s biggest mining companies are appealing the Plan, saying the provisions are too restrictive.

Birchfield Coal Mines, which owns two alluvial gold mines and three coal mines supplying South Island industry, argues that the plan does not provide for mining in all relevant zones and will limit the industry.

Taiko Critical Minerals, the company about to mine the Barrytown Flats, says ilmenite production is a Government growth priority but the TTPP protects the environment at the expense of community and economic development.

Westland Mineral Sands argues the Plan has not been developed in line with national policy direction, and asks for its license areas, including Cape Foulwind and Mananui, to be rezoned as Mineral Extraction zones.

Bathhurst Resources says the Plan provides for ‘lawfully established mining’ operations but there is no permitted activity rule for existing activity and no provision to continue past existing expiry dates.

The company – which funds predator control in northern Buller - also argues that where mitigation of environmental impacts is impractical, compensation and environmental offsets should be consent options.

ANZCO Foods Kokiri is appealing against the General Rural Zoning over part of its meatworks property on Arnold River Road that is designated a Significant Natural Area, arguing that the site should be rezoned General Industrial .

But a neighbour is appealing the rezoning of the Kokiri site from from General Rural to Light Industrial, arguing that it does not adequately protect adjacent properties.

Scenic Hotels is appealing against the Settlement Zoning for Punakaiki north of the Pancake Rocks, and building height restrictions reducing from ten to seven metres.

Under the rules it will become a lot more difficult to build two story buildings and workers’ and tourist accommodation in the area, the company says.

Brunner Builders owner Russell Robinson, who has plans for a residential development at Moana, is appealing the rezoning of part of his land, arguing that section sizes of 1000 square meters should in some cases be allowed.

Ridgeline Investments, which logs indigenous forest on its land in the upper Arahura Valley, is appealing against a designation as an area of significance to Māori.

That could impact its ability to selectively log forest under a management plan, and to harvest pounamu which is privately owned, it says.

Forest and Bird is also appealing on the grounds that the TTPP fails to give effect to the National Policy Statement on Indigenous Diversity. The Statement directs councils to protect, maintain and restore indigenous biodiversity.

It has significant concerns about the Plan’s chapter on Ecosystems, the group says.

The full list of appellants , and their arguments can be found on the TTPP website.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.