3.30pm: A dozen protestors are gathered in Turua St, St Heliers awaiting new of the decision on the street's art deco houses. The Environment Court is due to announce its decision at any time. NBR has reporters in the court and on the site to bring you
3.30pm: A dozen protestors are gathered in Turua St, St Heliers awaiting new of the decision on the street's art deco houses. The Environment Court is due to announce its decision at any time. NBR has reporters in the court and on the site to bring you latest coverage.
2.30pm: A decision on the future of a group of art deco houses in Auckland's St Heliers is due at 3pm. NBR has reporters in the court and on the site to bring you latest coverage.
A can of worms surrounding demolition of heritage houses in Auckland seaside suburb St Heliers just got slimier.
Ongoing maintenance would preserve the threatened properties – described as in “very good condition” - according to an independent heritage report which challenged the developers view they were not worth saving.
Specialist heritage architect Phillip Hartley said the Turua Street buildings were of traditional, enduring construction and materials which had “survived remarkably well.”
They were largely unaltered and retained most of their original architectural features,” Mr Hartley said.
“The type and incidence of defects are not onerous and given some proper maintenance and localised repair will have a considerable future lifespan,” he said.
But rescue efforts and questions over how development consent was obtained may be too late.
Environment Court judge Laurie Newhook will give his decision this afternoon on a cliff-hanger application by local anti-demolitionists for an enforcement order to save the houses from destruction.
If Judge Newhook rejects the enforcement order bid, demolition is expected to start immediately.
It was unclear as this story was posted if Judge Newhooks’ decision could be appealed.
Now, long time member of the St Heliers/Glendowie residents’ association Guy King, has questioned the process by which the Auckland city council gave Mike and Sandra Markham development approval.
Mr King said Mr Hartley’s recent independent assessment showed that – contrary to the developers’ claims - the traditional houses were in very good condition.
Mr King said Mr Hartley’s assessment “strongly suggests” the developers’ claims about the state of the properties were false, and that the previous Auckland city council, the new council, the Environment Court and interested parties were mislead.
More than 100 submissions to the council opposed the development.
