By ANNE GIBSON
Westfield's proposed Newmarket mall will be a modern, safe environment for the whole family, according to the developer.
But Westfield New Zealand chief executive Grant Hirst declined to comment specifically on an Auckland City Council consultant's report that damned parts of the $450 million development as oppressive, badly proportioned
and out of character with the area.
The report by Barry Rae Transurban was commissioned by the council to look at Westfield's submissions for planning approval.
Comparing the Newmarket proposal to the recently reopened Glenfield mall owned by Westfield, Mr Hirst defended the Australian-headquartered company's plans. Mr Hirst said it would be inappropriate for him to comment specifically on any consultant's report because other reports reached a different conclusion.
Westfield was an established member of the community, with 65 million visits to its 11 existing malls, Mr Hirst said.
"We are involved in many aspects of life here, not the least of which is the Westfield Works Wonders charity event that is on Sunday."
Barry Rae made particular note of the long air bridge extending over Nuffield St that would also block sunlight from the street and in the consultant's opinion needed redesigning. Mr Hirst said the on-going discussion about air rights over Nuffield St was confusing to the public and set no precedents, since the Downtown Shopping Centre in the city had an air bridge spanning Albert St.
"The opponents to the Nuffield air rights appear to have misunderstood why we are asking for these rights. We are pushing this for the benefit of Broadway, to allow the same freedom of movement," he said.
Newmarket residents had expressed exasperation about Newmarket's traffic problems for many years, Mr Hirst said. But this was a wide-ranging issue which would remain while Newmarket was a destination of choice.
Glenfield mall was a good example of a successful development and was trading well ahead of expectations.
