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UNTIL: 5:00AM, February 9, 2017

NGATARINGA RYMAN DEVELOPMENT APPEALED UNDER UNITARY PLAN

First Consent appealed at Environment Court by lobby group.

Consent granted for the development of a large retirement village complex on land on Ngataringa Bay, north of Stanley Point in Devonport, was yesterday appealed at the Auckland Environment Court by community lobby group Devonport Peninsula Precincts Society Incorporated (DPPS).

This appeal follows the ‘split-decision’ favouring the development by two of three commissioners when reviewed against Auckland’s unitary plan. The dissenting commissioner, and urban planner, Dave Serjeant noted that the, ‘intensification will generate significant change… (with) likely no public input.’ He further wrote, “It would be unfortunate if the interpretation (of the unitary plan) were seen to support the proliferation of large bulky buildings that have little or no variation in built form.”

Presenting at the Commissioner’s hearing, noted architect Geoff Richards described the Ryman proposal as a “ground scraper” referring to the detrimental impact made by the building on the horizontal view.

Supporting Richards in his position were over 300 submissions vigorously opposing this development.

Spokesperson for DPPS Iain Rea commented that, “On the Devonport Peninsula there are six large sites zoned as precincts. This is the first to be compromised and what happens here could set a precedent allowing hundreds of apartments in large five-storey blocks with no public say. This should be of concern, not just to the residents of Takapuna -Devonport, but all Aucklanders. There is no question, the decision must be appealed.”

END

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE

Takapuna_Devonport_Peninsula__Operative_UP_Zone_Heights_1126.pdf
ATTACHED GRAPHIC – map of Devonport precincts, source Auckland City Council, submitted as evidence in Hearing by expert witness, Architect and Landscape Architect Richard Reid – public document.

Auckland Unitary Plan – Precincts
http://unitaryplan.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Images/Auckland%20Unitary%20Plan%20Operative/Chapter%20A%20I ntroduction/Chapter%20A%20Introduction.pdf [p7, A1.6.5. Precincts]

Devonport Precinct & Sub-Precincts http://unitaryplan.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Images/Auckland%20Unitary%20Plan%20Operative/Chapter %20I%20Precincts/5.%20North/I508%20Devonport%20Peninsula%20Precinct.pdf [p1, I508.1. Precinct description]

Commissioner Serjeant’s dissenting decision http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/meetings_agendas/hearings/Documents/ngataringardand wakakuracresdecision190117.pdf [p48-52, clauses 194-211, quote taken from p52. clause 210] Facebook group page https://facebook.com/groups/NgataringaBay/

Youtube bush and bird video:
https://youtu.be/V4bHXItos7Y

TVNZ
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/locals-upset-proposal-build-large-retirement-village-in-seasideauckland-suburb

NZ Herald Links
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11711127
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11750669

Stuff
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/86798447/retirement-village-so-big-and-efficient-its-like-prison-planned-for-auckland
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/88550267/huge-retirement-complex-like-british-housing-estate-getsgoahead-in-auckland

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