Plan to protect heritage

April 11, 2007

North Shore City Council wants to know what you think of its plan to strengthen the rules that protect the city’s heritage character.

People are encouraged to have their say on Plan Change 21 – Residential 3: Built Heritage Zone, before April 27.

North Shore City’s specialist heritage advisor, Aranne Donald, says the plan change heeds community concern and changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).

“People were worried that controls on development in the residential three zone – especially in Devonport, Northcote and Birkenhead - were not strong enough and that those neighbourhoods were losing some of their heritage character,” she says.

“Changes to the RMA also now require heritage to be recognised and provided for as a matter of national importance.”

Other proposed changes include:

• Changing the status of alterations, additions and new buildings to limited discretionary activities, giving council the ability to refuse consent for inappropriate proposals
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• Taking into account a building’s heritage character no matter what its age
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• A maximum height of 1.2m rather than 1.8m for fences on a street frontage
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“We want to know if people support this plan change, and we are also keen to hear any other comments they would like to make,” says Aranne Donald.

To find out more and have your say online please visit www.northshorecity.govt.nz. Otherwise, you may fill in a submission form at any of our area offices or libraries.

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