Ryman beats council to punch over demolition

The new owner of Karori Campus intends to demolish many of the buildings on the site, and Wellington City Council has confirmed it effectively has no power to stop it.

Ryman Healthcare has filed for a certificate of compliance from the council, which is expected to be approved.

It would mean that, even if the campus were to be given heritage protection in the council’s District Plan, it would be exempt for five years.

It’s understood there was a heated meeting between Ryman, top council staff and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga last week, at which the rest home provider made it clear that it could, and would, demolish the buildings regardless of any opposition.

Council chief city planner David Chick confirmed demolition was permitted at the site. ‘‘There is nothing stopping them. Based on their permitted rights, they could actually start demolition tomorrow without hesitation.’’

Documents filed with the council show Ryman wants to demolish the store and service workshops next to the tennis courts and field, Mackie Gym, the theatre block, the Panckhurst building, Malcolm building, Oldershaw building, Ako Pa Marae and some prefabs.

Heritage NZ said the campus, which was sold by Victoria University, was regarded as having ‘‘outstanding architectural significance’’ as ‘‘one of New Zealand’s finest examples of Brutalism’’.

The organisation has confirmed it was proposing to give the campus a category 1 historic place entry, and had extended its submission process, at Ryman’s request, from 20 to 40 working days.

If the council had followed suit, and listed the campus in its District Plan as a heritage site, that would have given the location some protection.

However, Ryman filed for the certificate of compliance last week, and it is likely to be granted it within 20 working days.

Richard Bentley, of Karori Campus Group, which advocated for the site to remain in public hands, said Ryman had ‘‘grabbed the opportunity by the horns ... getting the paperwork to demolish the place before the council has to deal with a listed-building situation’’.

Ryman Healthcare chief development officer Andrew Mitchell stressed no plans were finalised, and Ryman was still in the consultation phase.

Open days would be held in the coming weeks. ‘‘We’d love to see anyone in the Karori community – and the wider community – who is interested in our plans for the future of the site.’’

Chick said Ryman’s application for a certificate of compliance was a straightforward case, and was unlikely to be delayed.

The certificate was a legal piece of paper to have in the ‘‘back pocket’’, in case there were any District Plan changes in the next five years, he said.

‘‘We are still keen to continue discussions. Just because they have the certificate, it doesn’t mean they have to use it.’’

The council was waiting to hear from Heritage NZ and Ryman about the next steps in agreeing on which parts of the site should be listed.