Media Release

City Vision Councillors - Auckland City Council

For Immediate Release

18 August 2010

Heritage Flaws in Mt Albert Precinct Plan

The recently finalised Mt Albert Precinct Plan has left out three significant residential heritage features which are a flaw in what is otherwise a good plan for the town centre rejuvenation linked into a new catalyst rail/bus interchange and more innovative community spaces say Eden Albert Councillors Glenda Fryer and Cathy Casey.

The plan was discussed at the August meeting of the City Development Committee meeting of the Auckland City Council. 

Councillor Fryer said “Senior Council Heritage staff completed a thorough Historic Landscape study which identified three ‘significant’ groups of housing in Mt Albert - Woodward Road, Benfield Avenue and Lloyd Avenue.  Unfortunately the City Development Committee deliberately omitted these significant streets from further protection they should have been afforded by permitting only less intense underlying zoning.  The underlying zoning for these three housing groups is for ‘low rise apartments’ and ‘town houses’.   The zoning that has been put aside for the former residential one and two character housing is the appropriate classification, and this Citizens and Ratepayers Council has undermined heritage housing protection in Mt Albert by their actions.”

Councillor Casey said “There has been wide consultation with the public over the Precinct Plan at the Mt Albert Community Centre.  Workshops have been held which many business people and community groups were pleased to participate in.  Mt Albert has bought into the 2050 vision of a rejuvenated town centre that will attract business, employment and promote housing choice.  It seems a shame that the Eden Albert Community Board’s recommendations on heritage protection have been ignored.  The much anticipated Mt Albert Precinct Plan would have been the better for it.”

The non statutory Precinct Plan will be referred to the new Auckland Council with a recommendation that they be implemented through future spatial and regulatory planning.

ENDS.

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