Neighbours urge action against house mover

Shannon Tawhiti

Totara St residents are calling for an abatement order against a property developer who moved houses on to a section without resource consent.

Relocate Homes NZ owner Shannon Tawhiti sparked an outcry from residents after he relocated three houses on to a 1065sq m section in Totara St, Mahora, without the required consent. Having three houses on the property also meant it didn't comply with housing density rules in the council's district plan.

About 30 residents of Totara St and neighbouring Waipuna and Williams Sts met Hastings District Council acting chief executive John O'Shaughnessy and other senior council staff last week to discuss their concerns and the council's response.

In response to Hawke's Bay Today's story about the relocation last week, a spokesman for Totara St residents said the council "should be issuing an abatement order and at the very least make the consent a notified consent".

"Only then will residents be able to have their knowledge of the local environment and the potential impact on it heard and considered. In order to maintain compliance of its district plan and avoid further repeat breaches, the council needs to act strongly, otherwise they will be creating further precedent which could result in widespread noncompliance."

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the council was "seriously looking at what options were available, including prosecution".

"We are looking at abatement notices, we are looking at whether consent needs to be notified or not."

Mr Tawhiti has moved houses on to residential sections without resource consent twice in the past three months.

The council fined his company $300 in October after he moved an ex-state house on to a Joll Rd, Havelock North, section before a consent was granted.