Council stands firm on heritage

A team of council staff and contractors has been working for 18 months assessing every house covered by a pre-1944 demolition control overlay. Photo / Doug Sherring

The Auckland Council is holding the line on rules to protect the city's built heritage after being advised they are a burden on landowners seeking to develop their properties.

Heritage groups have commended the council after the independent panel hearing submissions on the Unitary Plan rejected the council's approach to protect pre-1944 houses and the term "historic character".

The panel was not convinced the pre-1944 controls were justified and was concerned about the elevated legal status of the term "historic character". It suggested the council should address the issues through a plan change - a legal process that can drag on for years.

The council, however, has told the panel of its continued support for the current policy approach for pre-1944 houses and historic character.

"It's really fantastic news," said Character Coalition spokeswoman Sally Hughes, who earlier described the panel's interim guidance as a "bombshell" for heritage.

"The council made quite a strong statement in the proposed plan that heritage was important to Auckland and it was disappointing for the panel to disregard that," said Ms Hughes, whose group is made up of 60 heritage and community groups.

She said the panel had criticised the council for a lack of evidence, but the evidence was being gathered and was nearly complete.

A team of council staff and contractors has been working for 18 months assessing every house covered by a pre-1944 demolition control overlay.

Further planning analysis will result in revised heritage maps being lodged with the hearings panel by October 30.

The Herald understands that less than half of the pre-1944 area will be retained when the maps are released.

Waitemata councillor Mike Lee said it was troubling the hearings panel did not wait to hear key evidence before making up its mind on the pre-1944 overlay.

"One is left with the impression that the panel is not only out of touch with public opinion, but has also overlooked a basic tenet of law," he said.

Heritage moves
•Independent panel not satisfied with council's approach.
•Council has told the panel of its continued support of current policy.
•Less than half of pre-1944 area set to gain heritage protection.
•Heritage groups commend council position.