13 issues identified in quarry decision
An Environment Court interim ruling has put Fletcher Residential on the back foot over plans to develop a $1.2 billion dollar estate at Three Kings Quarry in Auckland.
The court has heard an appeal over a plan that would allow Fletcher’s to build up to 1500 dwellings in the former quarry between the suburbs of Mt Roskill and Royal Oak.
The court outlined 13 issues, including land contouring, protection of volcanic features, building form issues and minimum dwelling sizes that Fletcher’s must address.
The appeal was brought by South Epsom Planning Group and Three Kings United Group.
The two community groups, along with Auckland Council and other parties will now need to give comment on the interim decision before a final decision on the plan is made. Fletcher Residential is excluded from this stage.
Puketapapa Local Board Three Kings issues portfolio holder Harry Doig says he sees the identification of the issues as vindication for the community.
‘‘Fletcher wants to build 1500 dwellings and the community has instinctively felt it was far too many.
‘‘So we are very pleased to see the Environment Court’s recommendation that a more appropriate number is between 800 and 1200 dwellings.’’
The appeal was brought against Auckland Council and the Crown who wanted to swap 6.5ha of reserve land to Fletcher’s for residential development.
The deal included allowing Fletcher’s to rezone 15.1ha of land in the former quarry.
Community consultation on the $1.2 billion redevelopment began in 2008 but has been fraught with friction and dissent.
Three Kings residents groups lodged an appeal in January 2016.
A month later Environment and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith announced he opposed the appeal.
At the time of the announcement Smith said he was taking the unusual step of joining the legal stoush, alongside Auckland Council, because of the ‘‘size and the significance of the project’’.
‘‘And to make a firm stand in favour of these sorts of plan changes that are needed to address Auckland’s growth and housing problems.’’
Fletcher Building housing chief operating officer Steve Evans was not available for comment.