By BERNARD ORSMAN
Three historic homes in Grey Lynn have gained heritage protection days after the Auckland City Council backed down on saving a stately Parnell home.
Two of the three homes in Kingsley St are among the oldest concrete villas in Auckland and were built in the early 1900s for
the Warnock family.
The three homes are opposite two other concrete villas in Richmond Rd already given heritage status in the district plan. Western Bays councillor Penny Sefuiva said the vulnerability of the Kingsley St houses came to her attention last year when two of the properties were sold, prompting huge local interest and concern.
She was indebted to the present owners for supporting the plan change to list the three homes as category B heritage buildings in the district plan.
The council is deciding whether to publicly notify development plans for 42 St Stephens Ave, which would give Parnell residents one last shot to stop the two-storey home being removed or demolished.
The council backed down on issuing a heritage order to save the home after advice that it would cost ratepayers millions of dollars in compensation to the developer and owner.
