The planners of a heliport tipped to be the largest privately-funded development of its kind in New Zealand have pulled the plug on a hearing into the proposal.

Franz Josef Heliport is proposing a 10-pad commercial base three kilometres northeast of Franz Josef village at an estimated cost of $1.5 million.

However, Franz Josef Heliport had been working on the basis that a Westland District Council-owned helipad would close in November, said Richard Simpson, council manager planning and regulatory.

The company had postponed the hearing until the future of that helipad was clear.

The council had intended to cease extending permits for its four-pad site 200 metres from the village because the noise from it was considered a health hazard.

However, a report in December concluded helicopter noise from the pad was unlikely to affect public health and was not a major concern for many residents.

The council has now asked for feedback on the report from Franz Josef residents to help them decide if the existing heliport should stay or go.

The council said a commissioners' hearing on Franz Josef Heliport's proposal had been postponed at the request of the applicant.

Forty-six submissions had been received, 42 of which opposed the plans, Simpson said.

Franz Josef Heliport director Gavin Molloy said he was still fully committed to the project, which he said was essential if helitourism in the village was to expand. The proposed 3.5-hectare heliport would include hangars, flight operations centres and a new road to Franz Josef village.

"We want it to happen as soon as possible," he said.

"It is certainly not the end of it."

The deadline for responses to the December report is April 30.

By GILES BROWN - The Press

If you are interested in scenic helicopter flights in Franz Josef please visit the Website for Alpine Adventures Scenic Flights.