Euro-style village plans turned down

Plans to change land zoning to enable the development of a large, European-style village outside Auckland's boundaries have been rejected.

The Environment Court has endorsed a council's decision not to allow rezoning of rural land for the Waimauku Estate Village, a 1375-house development planned north of Auckland.

The project was to be one of the Auckland region's most ambitious developments, creating railway links and innovative urban design to minimise the need for cars.

Developer Rick Martin of Cornerstone Group wanted to create the village with an affordable housing component for up to 3000 people in the rural area, although he has since sold out of the project.

He planned to start work last year and develop the huge land holding during two decades.

But the court has just released a written decision on an appeal against a council's attempts to block land rezoning.

The court has ruled in favour of Rodney District Council's decision to reject the application for a private plan change for a residential and business development on the site.

In 2007, Cornerstone lodged a request for the change but it subsequently sold the project.

The 464ha Waimauku Estate farm, 2km north of Waimauku village, is owned by Malory Corporation whose director is Sean Parsons of Milford accountancy firm Hall & Parsons. Companies Office records show Malory is owned by Helensville Holdings whose sole shareholder is Mr Parsons.

Malory wanted to develop the project and on June 19 and 22, the Environment Court heard the appeal.

In September last year, the council rejected the development proposal and Malory appealed against that decision to the Environment Court.

The council said the project was inconsistent with a structure plan it had adopted for Waimauku which limited growth in the area.

Malory said it wanted to introduce a special zone for a comprehensive, mixed-use residential, business and community development project on State Highway 16. The project would have resulted in a huge number of houses being built.

But the court backed the council.

"Overall we have concluded that the council have reached the correct decision," the Environment Court concluded.

The court noted the Auckland Regional Council had been very diligent in seeking to prevent urban development outside the metropolitan urban limits.

Lobby group Vision Waimauku petitioned the council to keep the area zoned rural and the court noted that organisation's ongoing involvement from when it first learned of Cornerstone's plans.

People living in the Waimauku area want the land to be zoned rural and backed the council's decision on the project, the court said.

Mr Martin wanted to develop an internal tram system to connect residential clusters. Street design would encourage walking and cycling to local employment, school, shops and parks.

Commuting from the village to work was a prospect because it adjoined the western railway line to Waitakere and Auckland cities.

WAIMAUKU ESTATE

Plans for areas included:
* Station village.
* Garden suburb.
* Lifestyle cluster.
* Main township.
* Hill township.
* Farmland hamlet.