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Plans to build up to 25 homes on rural paddocks on the approach into Snells Beach, at 124 Mahurangi East Road, were turned down by a panel of independent commissioners last month.
Remuera-based Silver Hill Ltd had applied for resource consent to develop a 25-lot subdivision, as well as vesting, widening and sealing Lett Road, together with associated site clearance, tree removal, earthworks, servicing and access. The proposal was non-compliant with the land’s zoning as Residential – Large Lot in the Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP), and a hearing was held at Warkworth Town Hall in November.
Several neighbours and local residents objected to the scheme, with 28 submissions made opposing the plans and only one in support. Auckland Council’s planner, Claire Phillips, also recommended that the plan be turned down, telling the panel that amendments to the proposal and hearing evidence had not changed that view.
Hearings chair Dr Lee Beattie said as a non-complying activity, he and fellow commissioners Gavin Lister and Vaughan Smith could only have granted resource consent if they were satisfied that adverse effects on the environment would be minor, or if the activity wouldn’t be contrary to the objectives and policies of the AUP.
However, he said the effects on neighbours and the landscape character would be such that, even with new mitigation measures put forward by the applicant, consent should not be granted.
“We find that that the proposed number of lots and potential proximity of buildings cannot be mitigated by the landscape measures and conditions proposed, the plan fails to provide a sufficient setback and would not be in character with the spacious landscape character,” he said in his decision report.
“We are of the view that the adverse effects on 18 Lett Road would be more than minor and that the proposed measures would not sufficiently mitigate these adverse effects.
“We note for completeness that there would be less direct adverse effects on 11 Lett Road, but that the loss of a spacious landscape character would nonetheless result in adverse effects for that property.”
