Arch Hill Bunnings opponents claim victory

Photo / Brett Phibbs

Opponents of Bunnings Arch Hill claimed victory from Environment Court mediation, saying they have protected part of their area by having customer and delivery vehicles banned from driving down the quiet end of a residential street.

David Batten of the Arch Hill Residents Society released a statement saying that was the outcome following "two protracted and arguably flawed consent processes".

The residents, Kindercare and others reached a compromise with the box box retailer over the huge new store planned for 272-6, 300 and 302 Great North Rd.

"While a number of design and operational concessions were agreed, the most significant change to the consent was the removal of all access to and from the Bunnings site via the western end of Dean St, in effect making it a residential cul-de-sac and reducing the impact of truck movements on the adjacent child care facility.

"Arch Hill residents and Bunnings have also agreed on a number of community initiatives," the statement said.

"That Bunnings were able to gain consent for this development is much more of an indictment on Auckland Council planning process and very much at odds with the vision espoused by Mayor Len Brown for Auckland to become the world's most liveable city. Arch Hill and the wider Grey Lynn community expect and indeed, welcome appropriate intensification along the Grey Lynn ridge as Great North Rd develops as a major arterial route and public transport corridor," the statement said.

Batten said it had not gone unnoticed that the permissive nature of the RMA in its current form meant that communities which object to proposed developments, "regardless of their inappropriateness", were perceived as pariahs and despite the raising and spending of many tens of thousands of dollars, they struggled to have a meaningful voice in the process.

"While two years of sustained opposition to the development has not come without cost, the battle has engendered fierce determination to protect our way of life, profile for Arch Hill and wider Grey Lynn, and unearthed a diverse range of talents, skills and energy within our community.

Batten thanked residents, community groups, the Waitemata Local Board, councillor Mike Lee, local MP Nikki Kaye and Jacinda Ardern.

The court's decision on the case was released last week.