two Alamein Ave sites

Greater density... An illustration of the housing blocks proposed for two sections on Alamein Ave, now occupied by just three dwellings

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Sixteen new dwellings are proposed for two residential sites in Belmont.

An application to develop 28 and 30 Alamein Ave – which have a combined area of 1743 sqm – has been submitted to Auckland Council by Sentinel Planning.

Currently, 28 Alamein Ave comprises one house and number 30 two flats.

The proposed development – four buildings of three storeys in two separate blocks – breaches planning rules for earthworks and building coverage.

All vegetation will be cleared from the site and 3478 cubic metres of earth taken away, requiring a 3.5m high retaining wall at the northern boundary.

The proposed building coverage is 51.5 per cent, which is more than the 50 per cent allowed. Across the whole site this is 25.4 sqm over the allowable limits, the resource consent application says.

If restrictions on height-to-boundary limits and a volcanic view shaft overlay were not in place, the building height could have been up to 16 metres – five to seven storeys, the application says. No public notification is requested as the effects on the neighbourhood are considered less than minor.

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The independent hearings panel to consider Auckland Council’s proposed intensification has been appointed – to the surprise of the council’s own Heritage Advisory Panel, whose members last week expressed their disappointment at not being approached for advice over the appointments.

Panel members, who brainstormed advice for council on plans in response to central government’s push for greater housing density, were surprised to hear membership of the independent hearings panel – that will assess submissions and make recommendations on plan changes – had already been decided.

Chair Sally Hughes said she thought council would want the heritage panel’s advice on the issue.

Council heritage manager Noel Reardon, who presented to the panel, said council had not sought his advice on the appointments either.

“There is very little in this process that is ideal,” he said.

Reardon said councillors had their heads in their hands trying to navigate the contentious issue.

“We have been criticised by those who want more special character included, and those who want it gone,” Reardon said.

Reardon said council was not obliged to consult the public on the issue, and suggested its transparency should be supported by the panel.

Greg Hill, Kitt Littlejohn, Karyn Kurzeja, Sheena Tepania, Gavin Lister and Richard Knott were appointed to the hearings panel.

Heritage panel co-deputy chair Nicola Short asked Reardon if the methodology used to assess Special Character Areas had been applied elsewhere.

“All we have done is looked at the existing special character, but we have not looked at future special-character areas. Is there an appetite for that?” Short asked.

Reardon responded that areas outside of Special Character were not assessed and said there were “reservations about adding more special character in”.

Hughes said that the process would be completely reductive without consideration for the future.

“Areas over the years may have been missed that have special character,” Hughes said.

The Heritage Advisory Panel is drafting advice to council around methodology, consideration for historical significance of natural features and expressing its disappointment with not being approached about the hearings panel.

by Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council Reporter, funded by New Zealand on Air

Seismic assessment underway at Bayswater wharf

Work has been done at Bayswater wharf to allow computer modelling of the structure and the loads it can hold, Auckland Transport (AT) says.

Earlier this month, access to the wharf, a popular spot for fishing and taking photos against the Auckland CBD skyline, was restricted temporarily while its condition was investigated.

AT said this will be followed by a detailed seismic-assessment process.

This may take up to four months to complete. Depending on what is found, more investigations may be required.

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