Ryman changes North Shore village plans after court case

Ryman has changed plans for its Wakakura site above Ngataringa Bay.

Australasian retirement giant Ryman Healthcare will build lower blocks on a controversial North Shore site, reduce unit numbers and the bulkiness of its buildings.

Gordon MacLeod, incoming managing director of the $4.9 billion NZX listed business, yesterday revealed how plans had changed at Wakakura above Ngataringa Bay at Narrow Neck, between Devonport and Belmont.

Instead of six levels, Ryman would now build four and five-storey blocks, he said.

"One building was up to six levels. Now that level has been removed - predominantly four and five storeys across the site," MacLeod said.

A relatively small reduction in unit numbers is planned.

"A handful of units have been removed. We had three larger-scale buildings and they have been broken up into six buildings," he said.

Views shafts have been created through the site, he said.

That is expected to give a far less domineering effect to the buildings, change the development's effects on the neighbourhood and fit in with the existing street grid layout in the suburban area.

Eight blocks are planned for the site, MacLeod said.

The land is off the congested Lake Rd, the main Devonport-Takapuna thoroughfare.

The changes are a result of a six-week Environment Court mediation involving Ryman, the Devonport Peninsula Precincts Society, the Auckland branch of the NZ Institute of Architects and civic lobby group Urban Auckland.