Church fears being overshadowed

The present REINZ building and the church. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The Real Estate Institute's proposed development of its valuable Auckland site has raised the hackles of the Catholic Church.

The institute wants to build up and out on its multimillion-dollar site at 202 Parnell Rd where its building has suffered leaks.

But Parnell parish priest Monsignor Kevin Hackett of the neighbouring historic St John the Baptist Church strongly objects to the institute's property plan.

Shading, increased traffic movements and the potential to destabilise the sloping site are just some of the effects he fears from the proposed four-level development.

The church with a tiny belltower stands alongside the institute's national headquarters. The two buildings are separated only by Denby St, which runs off Parnell Rd.

A planner and Peter Reed of heritage architecture firm Salmond Reed have been asked to help prepare a submission opposing the institute's development.

St John's is thought to be one of the oldest surviving churches in the Auckland diocese and Mr Reed said the institute's buildings were set back from the Parnell Rd boundary, allowing the small heritage structure to have more presence and prominence.

The wooden church with a Historic Places Trust classification was founded by the first Catholic bishop of Auckland, Jean Baptiste Francois Pompallier. It opened in 1861 and is scheduled on Auckland City's district plan.

"We have a building that has historic classification that's going to be completely shaded in winter and have no sun at all. We have serious concerns about the generation of further traffic in Denby St which is a tiny street.

"The institute's building is now two storeys but they are going to build four storeys with levels of carparks below that again," Monsignor Hackett said.

"Were there to be a slip, the church would be in great peril, particularly if there was heavy rain. But when you're dealing with the big boys, it's not easy," Monsignor Hackett said.

The institute's site is worth more than $3 million but the organisation does not believe its present building is the best use of its land.

Its proposal to Auckland City Council puts forward a plan to demolish the two-level building and put up a mixed-use development suitable to the Parnell area.

The new building would be four storeys high with shops, offices, a cafe and basement car parking for 86 vehicles.

The application will be assessed as a discretionary activity and the institute has applied for more height than is allowed by proposing a public plaza area or courtyard between the commercial and residential parts of its redevelopment.

The council said the institute's site was zoned partly business and partly residential and three apartments fronting onto Scarborough Terrace were part of the plan.

Submissions against the application close next Friday.