Useless, or an icon of old Auckland? ANNE GIBSON takes a look at a historic shot tower.
A historic shot tower in Mt Eden is about to be demolished to make way for a development because its owners say it is useless, derelict and dangerous.
The landmark is the only surviving shot tower in the country, according to the Historic Places Trust.
It has an Auckland City Council historic classification and protection order and is also on the Historic Places Trust register, listed category one, as a colonial ammunition shot tower.
The tower, near the foot of Mt Eden, is owned by Chamko Holdings, associated with one of Auckland's wealthiest property owning companies, James Kirkpatrick Group.
But a prominent architect and Mt Eden resident strongly objects to the tower's demolition.
Jasmax director Hamish Boyd says the tower should be capitalised on in a redevelopment and seen as a generator of design ideas rather than an obstacle.
``An icon for Auckland and Mt Eden'' is how Historic Places Trust Auckland area co-ordinator David Reynolds described the building.
``The trust does not favour the demolition of any significant building, particularly one that is registered in category one.''
The 40m high tower, which has not been used since 1982, was part of a munitions factory on the site.
A consultant for the developers, John Childs of Mt Albert, believes it must come down.
The tower, dating back to 1916, was classed as a category A building in the city's 1993 district plan but was rescheduled as category B after its owners objected ``on the grounds that the listing was inappropriate given its condition.''
Mr Childs, a resource management and town planning consultant, said it would cost $300,000 to repair.
The owners have had to apply for a resource consent from the council to demolish the building because of its historic classification.
But they have made a concession: they will allow any interested historic bodies or groups to inspect the tower ``and prepare measured drawings and a photographic record prior to its demolition,'' according to Mr Childs' report.
The owners would also allow the tower ``to be dismantled and removed from the site to another suitable location, such as the Museum of Transport and Technology. Such an approach was approved by the Mt Eden Borough Council in 1989.''
The owners are planning a redevelopment of the site, which is zoned for low-to-medium light industrial use.
Charles Sheehan, general manager of James Kirkpatrick Group, would not comment on the tower nor the redevelopment.
The public has until May 17 to make submissions on Chamko's application on the tower.
Applications either supporting or objecting to the demolition can be made to the council, Auckland City Council which is also receiving reports from the trust and its own heritage division in city planning.
Council resource consent planner Peter Rawson will prepare a report and a hearing will be held before the council makes its final decision on the tower's fate.
Survivor of former era soon to fall
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