New legal challenge to Shelly Bay plan

The massive redevelopment of the old Shelly Bay defence base is once again being challenged.

A Miramar interest group filed an application for judicial review with the High Court in Wellington on Thursday. It challenges consent granted in October for what was planned as a $500 million development with more than 300 dwellings, and places to shop and eat.

Miramar business association Enterprise Miramar Peninsula said traffic in the area would worsen and ratepayers would face huge costs at a time when the city’s infrastructure was ‘‘failing’’.

Enterprise Miramar chairman Thomas Wutzler said the group, the community, and other interested parties were shut out of the resource consent process last year when independent commissioners granted consent under more permissive special housing rules.

‘‘Our challenge is about future costs for ratepayers, traffic, congestion, safety, and the ability to get around, on and off the peninsula,’’ Wutzler said.

The High Court was being asked to review the commissioners’ conclusion that traffic effects would be no more than minor, and that roads in the area could cope.

It is the second time the group has challenged the resource consent. In 2018, it forced a reconsideration via a court challenge.

Wutzler said the second resource consent grant was not supported by expert evidence, common sense or the experience of its members and Wellingtonians generally.

‘‘Anyone who lives or works in the Miramar area or visits the peninsula needs to be able to get around without being stuck in traffic.’’

A council spokesman said that as the case was already before the court, it would not comment.

Developer Ian Cassels, of The Wellington Company, was approached for comment.