PHOTO: CHRIS SKELTON/STUFF Original Castle Hill village developer and resident John Reid says the new development was always part of the plans, including the commercial centre.
Castle Hill started as a tiny ski village in the 1980s, created by those wanting to be closer to their favourite club ski fields.
Nearly three decades after the first sections went on sale, it is set to almost double in size – and may get its first commercial buildings including a store, bar and cafe.
There are currently about 140 homes dotted across the village, which is nestled in a ring of mountains off State Highway 73 in Porters Pass about an hour from Christchurch.
There are tennis courts, a playground and town hall. The permanent population comprises about a dozen households. The rest are baches, many used by Christchurch residents for weekends. Strict planning rules do not allow fences and encourage houses with a ski chalet style.
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