Developer Ignores Heritage Guidelines !

Mt Albert developer, Richard Beca, has re-applied to build a 3-story, 18 unit residential apartment block, plus 4 office units on the old service station site on the corner of Hinemoa Street and Maritime Terrace.

Anyone who owns a Residential property in the area, and who has thought about, applied and / or completed renovations or extensions knows only too well the extent to which council enforce Heritage Protection / considerations.

NSCC Guidelines for Protecting the Heritage Nature of the Shore

These are some of the "Guidelines" that North Shore City Council offer in relation to protecting the Heritage nature of Birkenhead, Northcote and Devonport.

* The design and external appearance of the proposed building - it's form, mass, proportions and materials should be in keeping with the surrounding buildings and streetscape.
This proposed development does not.

* Roof forms should reflect earlier roof forms in the area.
This proposed development does not.

* The building should fit in with the traditional housing site layouts in the area, and maintain similar front and side yard positions.
This proposed development does not.

* New buildings should have sufficient space around them to reflect the character of the area.
This proposed development does not.

* Vehicle access and parking should complement the character of the neighbourhood.
This proposed development does not.

* Street frontages should reflect the character of the area.
This proposed development does not.

* Significant landscape planting should be conserved and front boundary fences and hedges retained or reinstated where possible.

So why does the developer think he can ignore the Heritage nature of the immediate area.
Simple. He / they are relying of the fact the land this development sits on is zoned Commercial. The developer is using the commercial nature of the site to construct a residential building, in a predominately residential area - a commercial building for residential use !

And, as Council have not allowed for Heritage protection, in their various plans, for Commercial zones within Heritage areas, he could get away with it.

Fortunately, the issue of 'Heritage' is just one element of the overall objection to this proposed development.

The Birkenhead Residents Association is not against development of this site. It's the magnitude to which this proposed development breaches the Heritage nature of the Birkenhead area and the level of residential intensification that is completely out of character for the location. (To name just two of our reasons for rejection of this proposed development.)

PLEASE, help us to protect the unique Heritage nature of the area - become financial a member today. Or, at least join our mailing list and stay up-to-date on this and other issues eroding your property value.