Developer keen on Castor land

A property developer is willing to build nearly 20 homes on the Castor loop land in eastern Porirua – but there’s a catch.

Rob Spero, who said he represents a company that has millions of dollars at its disposal, has been disappointed with the response he has received from Housing New Zealand and Mana MP Kris Faafoi regarding the vacant land.

Since 2008, Housing New Zealand has torn down more than 30 old state houses in Castor Cres, Esk Place and Hazard Gr, but has not replaced them.

Faafoi is preparing a petition to try and put pressure on the Government to build more state homes in the Castor loop to take pressure off the housing waiting list.

Spero, who said the company he represents owns and tenants about 30 homes across Porirua,

‘‘I would be interested to hear what he had to say, but we need to be mindful that we need affordable, social housing in this area.’’