By BERNARD ORSMAN
Westfield has taken its plans for a giant Newmarket mall back to the drawing board just 24 hours before Auckland City councillors were expected to torpedo a key part of the project.
The Australian retail developer said last night that it was withdrawing the current plan in order to work with the council and other groups on improvements to the project.
The $450 million, 11-level mega-mall with 3000 carparks on a site extending from Remuera Rd to the Southern Motorway has drawn vociferous local opposition.
The last-minute backdown followed an approach by Citizens & Ratepayers councillor David Hay, who was concerned about the business implications of Auckland's losing a $450 million development expected to create 3000 jobs.
"It is best to wipe the slate clean and carry on discussions with Westfield rather than take a position that puts everyone in different corners of a boxing match," Mr Hay said.
Westfield had little option but to withdraw its plan for the mega-mall after council planners opposed selling the airspace above Nuffield St.
A 106m-long structure five levels high above Nuffield St was a key to its plans and would have increased the scale of shops on the awkward site. Westfield is still expected to seek an air-bridge over Nuffield St to link up with Broadway.
Councillors are expected to vote against the sale of airspace at a full council meeting tonight.
The new Westfield director for New Zealand, John Widdup, said the company was still committed to building a mall in Newmarket.
"We have listened to the community and we believe improvements can be made to our plans through further consultation. This dialogue will create a better understanding amongst all key stakeholders including Westfield, the retailers, the local community and relevant public officers and result in an improved development in Newmarket."
Newmarket Protection Society spokesman Robin Bailey said the group still planned to address tonight's council meeting and wanted councillors to "hammer through" a vote against the sale of airspace.
Mr Bailey said it was odd for Mr Hay and Citizens & Ratepayers to be aligning themselves with Westfield in an election year.
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