Private Development Plan revealed for Central Devonport

A NZ Herald story last week revealed that Peninsula Capital had applied for Fast Track approval for its major intensification plan of the Devonport centre.

The developer owns 12 properties, most of them heritage buildings, on lower Victoria Road that form Devonport’s iconic Victoria streetscape.

Like many of you, we were shocked that Peninsula Capital wanted to fast track enormous changes to the centre of Devonport without going through resource consent or any community consultation.

Peninsula Capital told us today that community engagement is a key element to the success of their project and they aim to bring the community along with its plans. They say it is just too early in their planning to release any details.

Their application was declined for the Fast Track legislation process, but they can apply again.

The Proposal

The application was light on detail, but it was no surprise they want to create more shops and businesses and up to 103 more dwellings.

We are not opposed to more apartments in the centre, but the scale and height of any new developments is hugely important if Devonport is to retain its heritage integrity.

While the old Victoria Road buildings are all listed as protected places, new, tall developments looming visually directly behind them would destroy the historic streetscape of the main street.

This would lead to facadism where modern structures are built behind the front of a heritage building destroying its historic authenticity.

The Westpac bank site on the corner of Victoria and Clarence Street is pivotal - an out of scale new building there could ruin Victoria Road. Three storeys might be acceptable but not four.

Need for Resource Consent

Devonport has two important protections - 1. the Special Character Overlay Business & Residential and 2. the Height Sensitive Overlay.

Both apply to central Devonport. The SCA protects all pre-1940s buildings with A and B scheduled historic buildings given higher protection. All the old buildings in Victoria Road are As or Bs.

Luckily, we had successfully submitted last year that Auckland Council retain the Mays Building as an A scheduled historic heritage place. This 1882 building is one of the most iconic and place-setting buildings in Victoria Road.

The Height Sensitive Overlay is there to prevent buildings screening views of Takarunga/Mt Vic and limits most building heights to 9 metres.

The allowed building height for the Peninsula properties in Victoria Road range from 9 to 13 metres. This should limit any new developments on Wynyard Street to three storeys and retain the two storey height on Victoria Road.

However, there are no guarantees Peninsula Capital want to stay within these limits.

This is why it is so important their plans are not fast tracked but are subject to the resource consent process. Without this there is simply no opportunity to challenge any over-height proposals or unsympathetic plans.

Alarm Bells

Peninsula Capital’s Fast Track application described the proposal as a ‘Master plan urban regeneration project for central Devonport’ - to significantly increase housing, attract more tourists and create more shops.

This would have a major impact on our town.

A master plan that affects a whole community is not for developers to create for their own ends but one for the local residents, businesses and Auckland Council to decide by working together.

It certainly should not be decided by central Government.

An indication of the concern is that since the Herald story appeared nearly 30 people immediately signed up to Devonport Heritage.

What’s Next?

Since the Herald story we have been in touch with Peninsula Capital who have again assured us they will not cut the community out of involvement in their proposal and will consult when they have actual plans.

I asked that community engagement should be done early - not when they have decided a plan and want to press the green light.

We have asked Peninsula two questions –

1. Will you apply again to Fast Track your proposal?

2. Will you engage with the community about your plans before you do so?

Peninsula Capital have reassured us that community support is key to the viability and success of their plans for Devonport.

The resource consent process is the best way of ensuring their plans will not harm the absolute treasure that is the Devonport centre.

Link to the Fast Track application

Please come to our next committee meeting Wednesday 29 January, 7.30pm at the Harmony Hall 4, Wynyard Street where we will be discussing this issue in depth. Everyone is welcome.

Regards
Margot McRae and Trish Deans    
Co Chairs, Devonport Heritage