Greytown heritage precinct may double

A proposed doubling of Greytown's heritage precinct has riled a businessman who said he pulled the plug on colonial-style houses last year because the development was about to be challenged over lot sizes.
Peter Langford, owner of Fairview Windows and Doors, proposed a seven-house development at 182-184 Main Street where his factory used to be.
But before the development, which was not originally in the heritage area but would be in a proposed extension, could go ahead, he said he received a letter from the Greytown Community Heritage Trust saying they would oppose the development because the lot sizes, at between 400sqm to 500sqm, were too small and did not at that stage comply with the operative South Wairarapa District Plan.
The proposed combined district plan, which carries more weight than the operative plan, now allows subdivision down to 400sqm, but lot sizes must average at 500sqm over the whole development, South Wairarapa District Council senior planner Chris Gorman said.
Mr Langford said he "did the right thing" in approaching the heritage trust with his concept plans, but a letter signalled he would be challenged on lot sizes.
"They agreed to the plans in concept and I got a letter saying they would strongly oppose it due to the lot sizes. We were of the understanding that that's what people wanted so I was advised against it by my lawyer because it would probably end up in the Environment Court so I pulled the pin on it.
"It's the heritage bit that caused the problem at the end of the day. I would have carried on with it if they hadn't have put a spanner in the works. In short, some of the people that have been in the town five minutes have got too much to say."
In response, heritage trust chairman Peter Franks said the trust did not object to the concept plans, only the non-compliant lot sizes. "We received plans from his architect for seven townhouses on what was called the Fairview site. We commented that we have no objection to the style or the concept. Our only concern was that two sections were below the size stated in the district plan."
Mr Langford does not object to the heritage precinct extension and agrees with keeping the colonial look of the town but has raised concerns about who will have the final say. "On principal I don't object to it but at the same time I would like to know how they will police it and to what degree. I don't know if it's going to get to the stage that if people want to paint their houses they're going to have to agree to it. I just think it's just getting a bit overboard."
Similarly Colin Olds, principal dealer of Featherston Motor Company, used to be located in Greytown's Main Street, but sold that site to Crighton's Timberyard when considering downsizing to a vacant leased lot opposite Hospital Road.
However, when applying for resource consent to set up shop there, he said he received objections from an immediate neighbour and the heritage trust and because of possible animosity he moved to Featherston.
"It would have basically put us on a path that I didn't particularly want to go down. I've always believed in business if you can't get on with your neighbour or your neighbour doesn't get on with you then it doesn't make for a particularly nice working environment."
He does not oppose the extension of the heritage precinct per se, but said it is important to balance commercial needs of a town with a desire to maintain the town's physical appearance.
"We have to balance it between what commercial activity we have occurring in the Main Street against the wishes of those residents that buy in Greytown for lifestyle. But I don't believe we could shut up Main Street and call it a museum."