An artist's impression of what the Takanini development could look like.
An artist's impression of what the Takanini development could look like.
Auckland housing supply difficulties will benefit from construction of about 600 homes at the McLennan Development, where Housing New Zealand is creating a new community in partnership with selected build partners and developers.
Last year Barfoots sold "superlots" for Stage 1 of the development on the former Papakura Miliary Camp.
Stage 1 comprised 154 individual house lots and construction on most these is now either under way or about to commence.
Barfoots has now begun to market - to small and medium-scale developers - the 24 the superlots for Stage 2, which will comprise about 255 homes, including some social housing.
Barfoot and Thomson's project manager, Matt Baird, says McLennan's superb design values and a location close to shops and transportation has already made it of great interest to builders and developers.
"With services in place and resource consents to be granted, these superlots range in size from 587sq m to 3497sq m. "Asking prices will ranging from $840,000 at the low end, right up to $3,250,000 - most selling for around $1.5 million to around $2 million.
"They will, depending on size and layout, accommodate between five and 19 houses."
The new 24-hectare estate, whose address is 75 Walters Rd, borders Bruce Pullman Park to the north, McLennan Park to the south, the Defence Force facility to east and existing houses to the west, he says.
As well as increasing housing supply overall, McLennan will be instrumental in helping some Aucklanders into their first home.
In fact, fifteen per cent of homes are to be social housing, homes which will be purchased by Housing New Zealand and other social housing providers.
"But if anyone has the idea that this means there will be corners cut they had better think again," says Baird.
"What is being created is something quite unique, a diverse range of houses that will suit first home buyers, secondary housing buyers and - in some cases - social housing providers. If you were to sum it up, you might call it 'the best of all worlds'.
"Five architectural studios are working with Studiopacific to design the individual houses on selected superlots in State 2.
Houses now under construction at the McLennan Development.
Houses now under construction at the McLennan Development.
"Connectivity throughout the development has been carefully considered. Narrow landscaped roads, accessways and linked public reserves will create a pedestrians flow in and around the development. The aim is create a community built upon quality design and construction principles, which will appreciate in both social and commercial value in future.
"The superlots now for sale have been tailored to the needs of small and medium scale developers. They will be allowed to purchase more than one, but achievable milestone dates for the start-and-finish of house construction are going to be set.
"Landbanking of the superlots will not permitted."
Baird says the consents dictate the urban design, architecture, house types and character landscaping.
Altering or amending them will be prohibited and developers will need to obtain building consents at their own cost. There will also be guidelines for specification of materials, colour palettes and yard landscaping.
A McLennan Residents Society, which all residents have to join, will own and manage shared land and facilities (such as pocket parks). Joint management of private accessways will limited to those residents using them.
"McLennan is very close to the new Takanini Village shopping centre at 30 Walters Rd, which comprises cafes and retail outlets including the Warehouse. Established commercial areas and town centres of Takanini and Papakura are within five-minutes-drive. Twelve hectares of land has been set aside between the primary school and the McLennan for construction of a new high school.
Baird points out house prices at McLennan will need to meet the market. A diverse range of houses will be built, appealing to a range of purchasers, and there will be two main categories, he says.
Homestart houses will have a maximum price cap, and individuals who buy them must fulfil a range of conditions.
These include that they must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, first home buyers and have total household income of not more than $130,000. The purchaser must live in the home for three years before selling.
Owner Occupier houses will fall into two categories: those with a price cap and those without.
These also may only be purchased by residents, but there is no household income cap. The purchaser must live in one of these homes for at least a year before selling.
