A court decision blocking plans for a high-rise development on a public reserve north of Auckland was described by the local mayor today as "a victory for common sense".
Auckland-based Covington Group wants to build up to 300 residential units at Hammerhead, a 3.2ha area of reclaimed landat the end of Gulf Harbour Marina at Whangaparaoa.
However, the High Court has backed Rodney District Council's argument that any development should be under the marina's concept plan, ruling out Covington's plans.
The company, which has the lease to the site, had argued that the district plan, which would allow intensive development, should take precedence over the concept plan.
Justice Patrick Keane ruled that almost all of the site should have unrestricted public access and existing facilities such as the boat ramp, ferry services and car parking should be retained.
Rodney Mayor Penny Webster said the decision was "a victory for common sense and the community".
She said the council had always held the view that the site should remain a public recreational area with unrestricted access.
Other issues, such as whether it should be leased to a developer, largely obscured that fundamental point, she said.
"What happened last year is that we re-assessed the situation, decided that we had a legal and moral obligation to lease the site, but not to vest with that lease unrestricted development."
She said the council looked forward to working with Covington on how to add amenity value to the site as intended by the concept plan.
