Temporary reprieve for St Heliers houses
The future of three art deco St Heliers houses threatened with demolition by a property developer still hangs in the balance after an all-day hearing in Auckland's Environment Court.
The future of three art deco St Heliers houses threatened with demolition by a property developer still hangs in the balance after an all-day hearing in Auckland’s Environment Court.
Judge Laurie Newhook heard arguments from lawyers representing the Save Our St Heliers group, Ancona Group and the Auckland Council.
At the centre of the argument is whether an enforcement order to save the houses from demolition should be made.
Save Our St Heliers lawyer David Kirkpatrick expressed doubts over whether Auckland Council played its part correctly in the matter, particularly whether or not a sufficient heritage assessment had been made.
However, Ancona Group lawyer Richard Brabant claimed an appropriate heritage assessment had been done.
An interim enforcement order was made on Thursday last week and extended until 5pm today.
This afternoon Judge Newhook extended the enforcement order until 5pm tomorrow.
He will deliver a decision at 3pm tomorrow in open court.
“In the interests of doing things decently and in order it would not behove me to sit here and dish you up an oral decision,” he said.
“The public interest issues suggest I should reserve the decision and deliver it in open court.”
Judge Newhook said he wanted to deliver something “considered and not rushed.”
There has been significant public interest in the situation.
NBR publisher Barry Colman funded the Save Our St Heliers group's legal costs.
Hazel Phillips
Wed, 26 Jan 2011
Wed, 26 Jan 2011
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Temporary reprieve for St Heliers houses
11838