Views of Mt Victoria in Devonport Threatened by Unitary Plan
The view of Mt Victoria from the Devonport wharf may be a little harder to see following the Unitary Plan.
Picturesque views of Mt Victoria from the Devonport shopping centre are under threat, as the Unitary Plan recommends loosening height restrictions.
The three historic suburbs in Auckland’s North Shore; Devonport, Northcote Point and Birkenhead, have all in essence retained their heritage protection, but this is now called “special character overlay”.
This is despite the Unitary Plan removing protection from demolition for buildings and houses built pre-1944.
TOM DILLANE/FAIRFAX NZ
The view of Mt Victoria from Devonport shops may be impeded by height restriction changes in the Unitary Plan.
The protection of pre-1944 houses, outside of Devonport, Northcote Point and Birkenhead believed to be of heritage importance on the North Shore, are therefore at risk.
A Devonport heritage group is also concerned the existing nine-metre height restriction along the Victoria Rd Devonport shops has been loosened in areas to 13 metres through the Unitary Plan.
“Devonport village is considered a town centre, but it’s not really,” Devonport Heritage deputy chair Margot McRae says.
“It was protected by the height sensitive zone around Mt Victoria but it has been downgraded.
“It will significantly impact the view of Mt Victoria and the relationship with the mountain Devonport has.”
The Devonport village shops are still covered under a volcanic view shaft and height sensitive overlay but buildings in sections of Devonport shops will be able to extend to 13 meters.
The existing North Shore district plan only allowed nine metres.
Still coming to terms with all of the Unitary Plan’s implications for the region, Devonport-Takapuna local board member, Mike Cohen, says any height restriction loosening in Devonport is worrying.
“Obviously I would be concerned with anything that would impact on the integrity of Devonport village as a unique heritage part of Auckland,” Cohen says.
“But I need to work thoroughly through the details and where height restriction changes specifically apply to buildings.
“It’s all a matter of scale and balance.”
Birkenhead Heritage Society member, Carol Scott, says the idea increasing housing density will solve Auckland’s housing affordability crisis is simplistic.
“The approach that has been taken here by the Independent Hearings Panel is that supply will solve everything, but there are other issues to the housing crisis that require a more creative approach,” Scott says.
Auckland Council will decide whether to accept the recommendations from the independent hearings panel and adopt the plan by August 19.
