Eden Park chief charges into Cup ruck

The Eden Park Trust Board is fighting claims that the $320 million upgrade of Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup will cast more shade than expected as the fall-out with residents deepens.

Trust board chief executive John Alexander has gone on the offensive against two residents' groups, saying it was incorrect to suggest the park could be increased in size to 60,000 seats using a temporary stand and rejecting criticism the board had not been open with information.

In a letter to the Herald, Mr Alexander said the board had been mindful of community concerns about the height of the proposed redevelopment, and shading, and was working hard to mitigate the effects.

He said 160 properties were potentially affected by shading. Another 56 properties would have "more significant" shading issues, mainly in mid-winter.

Further, the heights proposed in the resource consent application were at the "upper limit" and the board aimed to "minimise these while still allowing field lights under the roof".

Eden Park Neighbours' Association president Mark Donnelly said details in the resource consent showed the "real impact", which was quite different from earlier presentations from the board. He accused Mr Alexander of "hiding behind Resource Management Act planning semantics" on the shading issue. That was because the board had permission to build a 30m structure but had counted only houses that would be affected by development beyond 30m. The board is seeking permission to build to 44m.

Eden Park Residents Association chairman Jose Fowler has said the trust should be more up front about how many properties would be affected.

Mr Donnelly said it had been his understanding that the Rugby World Cup could be hosted at Eden Park with a temporary stand for up to 55,000 people, and he had only become aware the Rugby Union had given a commitment to the International Rugby Board to go to 60,000 seats.

The union and the Rugby World Cup Minister Trevor Mallard have confirmed the bid to host the 2011 event was a combination of temporary and permanent upgrades to Eden Park.

The original plan, variously costed at between $100 million and $160 million, was based on a new south stand and temporary seating above the west stand.

Since then, the board has developed the "legacy" option that included no temporary seating and new south and east stands. So far the board has raised $54 million and is expecting ratepayers to foot much of the bill.