The Block gets green light

Neighbours were disappointed the resource consent was granted. Photo / Doug Sherring

Residents fail in attempts to stop TV building show on their street

The next season of renovation show The Block NZ has been given the green light — with some council-imposed extras to the cast.

Resource consent was granted on Thursday to demolish two houses at 26 and 28 Newell St in Auckland's Pt Chevalier, to be developed into four freehold sites, despite opposition from neighbours.

Auckland Council received "numerous letters and emails" from neighbours worried about traffic, parking and noise generated by the four-month production

Production company Eyeworks will have to post a guard on site from 10pm until 7am and hire a traffic controller for parking and deliveries.

A dedicated liaison person will also be employed to deal with issues and concerns around the clock.

Executive producer Greg Heathcote is thrilled to get the go-ahead.

"We are very excited," he told the Herald on Sunday.

"We are getting better and better at this and this season's houses will be the best yet."

Builders will erect a plywood fence around the 1,668sqm site. "With the fence up, there will be absolutely nothing to see from the road," Heathcote said.

Neighbours were disappointed the resource consent was granted.

They had planned to form an incorporated society to appeal to the High Court but hadn't because they believed the consent would be denied.

Auckland Council confirmed receiving letters and emails from neighbours but because the application was non-notified, they were not taken as formal submissions.

Council has also had its first complaint related to The Block — just hours after work started. "We did have a complaint this morning about vehicles parking in the street," a spokesperson said on Friday.

"A Vector contractor who had parked in the wrong place has moved, and another related to a plumber visiting a different address."