Erskine Update
Many of you would have seen news (Dom Post Aug 11) regarding the latest Erskine development proposal lodged with Wellington City Council, to be assessed under Special Housing Area provisions. It is up to Council to assess this application on its merits which it will do in the next three weeks. The Heritage Protection Authority process is a separate one to Council's and this will follow.
Some of you have asked about submissions or input/comments for the Council consent and how to put one together. In this case the Council is responsible for the process. If you think you might be affected or you have concerns, write to the Council and state that you are an affected party, tell them why, and state that you wish to be formally notified.
If you have concerns and want to know how to make a submission or provide input/feedback to Council, there is a guide at the link below.
Pointers
A submission must cover direct effects on the neighbour/person lodging the submission. Submission/feedback might include:
-
The effect of 94 houses, crèche and events centre plus cars using the site
-
Whether there will be buses
-
Crèche and existing kindergarten traffic both using Avon Street
-
Costs of redesign roundabout on The Parade or delays
-
Pressure on existing school rolls
-
Urban design visual impacts from their properties
-
Quality design and open spaces
-
Impacts on heritage values listed in the district plan, registration by HNZ - does the application meet the regional policy statement and district plan criteria.
-
Criteria in the housing order can still be met with a reduced number of houses (see below).
Background - Excerpt
Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas (Wellington - New June 2015 Areas) Order 2015
Criteria for qualifying developments in special housing areas
The following criteria apply for qualifying developments in each special housing area declared by clause 4:
(a) the maximum number of storeys that buildings may have is 6 (as provided in section 14(1)(b)(i) of the Act):
(b) the maximum calculated height that buildings must not exceed is 27 metres (as provided in section 14(1)(b)(ii) of the Act):
(c) the minimum number of dwellings that must be built is 10.
Erskine College - August 2016
Erskine College - October 2016
Erskine Update
This is a quick refresh to let the community know that Wellington City Council has decided to process the recent application for Erskine College non-notified. This means there will not be an opportunity to legally submit through Council facilitated processes relating to the redevelopment and its potential effects.
For more information please see the following link or contact Council. If you have any questions please let us know
Erskine College - December 2016
Erskine Update
On December 22 his Honour Judge Newhook provided a decision regarding the interim enforcement order in place (Dec 12) with respect of Erskine College.
Judge Newhook found that s.193 (of the Resource Management Act 1991) still applies to the Special Housing Area at Erskine College (approved through the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013).
In this case, s.193 stipulates that regardless of any resource consent, written approval from SECT is required for anything that may wholly or partly nullify the heritage protection order in place at Erskine College.
The Respondent (Mr Cassels and companies) proffered an undertaking which, (in brief) requires them not to commence any of the subject proposed redevelopment works, until they have obtained written consent approval from SECT or an appeal (if required) to the Environment Court is determined.
Judge Newhook accepted this undertaking as replacement for the interim enforcement order and, has adjourned proceedings in the case that the undertaking is breached.
Erskine Update
The Trust received an application from the landowner for the Erskine College redevelopment in late December 2016. After receiving detailed legal advice, the Trust was not able to notify the application.
In terms of assessment, SECT sought the advice of independent advisors and appointed an independent commissioner to provide recommendations to SECT. The commissioner stated:
"Taking the overall proposal, which is an inappropriate development in terms of s 6 [of the RMA], and will wholly or partly nullify the effect of the heritage order, I consider that SECT would be in breach of its duties under the Order in Council approving its HPA status if it granted consent to the application".
The commissioner recommended the Trust decline consent, which was accepted. SECT's decision to decline (with the opportunity resubmit) was issued to the landowner on the 5th of April.
Read More..
Independent Commissioner Recommendation
Erskine College - March 2017
Erskine College - December 2017
Erskine Update
Last week (December 18-20) saw the end of Environment Court proceedings regarding the Erskine College site. We hope to have news in the New Year regarding the outcome.