Neighbour opposing apartment block wins concession from Metlifecare

Plans for Metlifecare's new building replacing Raukura at 7 Saint Vincent, Remuera.

A neighbour of retirement village owner-operator Metlifecare went to the Environment Court opposing plans for a new Remuera hospital, citing various negative effects including loss of privacy, shading, noise and nuisance.

Susan Wynne Valentine objected to the planned scheme by the business, which has $6.3 billion of assets and a national chain of villages.

Metlifecare has consent to build a five-level 43-suite hospital building on part of the site of its existing village off Remuera Rd at 7 Saint Vincent Ave. That building would replace the existing lower Raukura apartment building where residents still live, although some inside say they won’t go.

Last month, the Environment Court’s Justice Melinda Dickey released her decision on Valentine’s appeal against the new building.

That noted on January 18 last year, independent hearing commissioners had granted Metlifecare consent to develop the site and build the hospital, which will also have 10 luxury apartments at the top of the fourth and fifth floors.

All that is to replace the existing Raukura building.

The existing Raukura building at 7 Saint Vincent in Remuera, a block in a village owned by Metlifecare. This would be demolished to make way for a larger five-level hospital building with 10 luxury apartments.

But last February, Valentine lodged her appeal, citing privacy, amenity, traffic and safety effects associated with the new hospital and loading zone design. The building was over the permitted height, she complained.

She expressed concern about what the effects would be once construction began and then the use of that lane once the hospital is completed and functioning.

“The relief sought by the appeal included a redesign of the building’s location, bulk, scale and design, and conditions that appropriately restrict the use of Raukura Lane,” the January 29 decision said.

Valentine’s objection sent to the council said: “The proposal will affect the sanctuary that my house provides me and hence my wellbeing. With regards [sic] to the proposal, my major concerns are shading to my site, visual dominance of the building, loss of privacy, heavy use of Raukura Lane during and after the construction period, devaluation of my property price as a residential household, noise concerns, visibility of the service entrance and kitchen.”

The way it had been designed, the new hospital and apartment block would have many windows, doors and balconies facing her place, she complained.

“Persons on the upper storeys will be able to know my comings, goings and any activity I undertake in the living areas on my house. To not feel like I am under constant surveillance, I will need to either purchase privacy blinds or live in my bedroom.”

Interior plans for the new hospital at 7 Saint Vincent in Remuera.

The judge said mediation had occurred between Valentine and Metlifecare and changes had been agreed to.

The plant which was to be put on top of the roof of the new building would be moved to within the main building.

Plans for the internal floor area of a south-facing apartment on the fifth storey had been reduced and that apartment relocated and set further back from the southern and eastern edges of the building.

Changes had also been made to the design of a balcony which had been set back from the building’s edge.

A neighbourhood community liaison group had been formed for residents on the laneway to deal with Metlifecare. A new requirement has also been agreed to about vehicles accessing the construction site. They must only enter off St Vincent Ave and exit either the same way or via Raukura Lane, with signage saying the traffic is only one-way.

“The agreed changes will address the effects-based concerns raised by the appellant including scale and visual dominance, overlooking and privacy, traffic safety and daylight access,” the judge said.

When asked about the outcome, Valentine referred the Herald to her lawyer Bronwyn Carruthers KC.

In 2023, the Herald reported on plans for the new block.

The existing 17-unit block is two to three storeys and also contains village amenities like the main reception.

Metlifecare chief executive Earl Gasparich says the third-largest retirement village company has undergone a significant transformation behind closed doors over the past four years.

Even though people still live there and have objected to going, Metlifecare says in its application it will be demolished “to facilitate development of the new building”.

The new building will be 21m high at its tallest point. The ground floor will have administration, management and sales offices, bathroom, cleaning amenities, a staff room, primary kitchen, lounge and dining room, bar and cafe.

A new area for billiards, media, a library, a gym and wellness hub, as well as additional area for activities, will be within that new block, along with a pool, spa and changing rooms.

Level two will have 21 care suites or hospital-style rooms from 32sq m to 39 sq m, a dining room, lounge, library and communal terrace and a sales meeting room.

Level three will have 23 more care suites ranging from 28sq m to 40sq m each.

Levels four and five will have independent apartments, which will include four two-bedroom units, and range from 112sq m to 156sq m.

Some people living at the lush, subtropically planted village have expressed concern about years of construction noise and nuisance when they moved there for peace and quiet – and although they could stay at the same village, the disruption is a concern to them.

Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 25 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.