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Plans to build a large “retirement resort” on a site in Orewa that is adjacent to native bush, a stream and historic buildings is opposed by Hibiscus Coast Forest & Bird and local residents who say its size and bulk are out of scale with its surroundings.
As well as 121 apartments in three blocks, the proposal includes an indoor pool and theatre, outdoor bowling green, vegetable gardens and rooftop gardens.
The land, at 23–25 Annalise Place, just off Hibiscus Coast Highway, was sold by the Theosophical Society in 2013 to developer Coastal Properties (sole director Brendan Coghlan).
It is zoned Residential High Intensity (Mixed Housing Urban is proposed under Auckland Council’s proposed Unitary Plan) but the proposed development is non-compliant in several respects; neighbours found out about the plan recently, when the resource consent application was publicly notified.
Forest & Bird member Philip Wrigley says the developer is pushing the boundaries.
He is concerned at the proposal to place buildings 15m from Nukumea Stream – eight metres closer than permitted. The height of the buildings, which varies from three to five storeys, will restrict sunlight into Eaves Bush Reserve and partially remove views of the bush from Hibiscus Coast Highway.
Mr Wrigley says that the plans show that public access to an esplanade reserve within the complex may not be possible.
A further concern is that a 35 year consent to discharge stormwater into the stream is sought – Mr Wrigley says that more detail about the volume of stormwater is needed, but that a five year consent would be more appropriate so that the effects on the stream could be assessed. “The stream has often been polluted from residential developments in the past and everything that goes in there is on the beach in no time,” he says.
He says Forest and Bird is in favour of the proposal to replace pest plants with natives along the edges of the stream but says that the suggestion that skinks be relocated into Eaves Bush would be a death sentence as there is not enough sun.
“This is such an intense development, which breaks so many rules you’d have trouble adding them all up,” he says. “I struggle to see what they are putting back for the community. Alice Eaves Bush is a huge attraction for residents and visitors, and the developer could offer to assist with conservation work.”
The developer is proposing to relocate historic Rose Cottage within the site, but residents are concerned about the effects on a neighbouring historic building, Walnut Cottage.
Sussi Stephens is one of several neighbours making submissions in opposition. She says the proposed complex is completely out of scale with everything around it.
“The sheer size, dominance and bulk will lead to a loss of light, warmth and privacy for other residents,” she says.
Coastal Properties director Brendan Coghlan says he is open to the idea of public access to the esplanade reserve on his land, although he points out that there has never been public access to it in the past, even when the property was owned by the Theosophical Society. “I am open to the idea but it is land locked by neighbours in Forest Glen to the west and Walnut Cottage and Orewa House to the east,” he says. “There are excellent public walkways through Eaves Bush on the other side of Nukumea Stream.”
He says that the proposed complex will offer “five star luxury through classic styling, carefully considered landscaping and timeless architecture” to its residents. “Another feature will be the full restoration and transformation of Rose Cottage, built in 1880, into a working art gallery and library for residents and family,” he says.
Submissions must be in by August 24. The documents are on Auckland Council’s website, aucklandcouncil.govt.nz under Have Your Say.
