Heritage group to contest Devonport development

The Masonic Tavern. Photo / Dean Purcell

The battle over whether one of the North Shore's oldest pubs can become apartments is heading to court.

Lobby group Devonport Heritage told members that litigation over the Masonic Tavern on King Edward Parade near the village centre would start just before Christmas.

"An Environment Court hearing that will decide the future of the Masonic Tavern is set down for December. Devonport Heritage, along with the Masonic Friendly Society and two neighbours, has appealed against the North Shore City Council's decision to permit the redevelopment of the hotel and surrounding site," the group said.

"This is the first time that Devonport Heritage has taken an appeal through to a court case and we have done this because we believe the heritage value and cultural importance of the Masonic will be lost if the proposal goes ahead."

In April, the council approved an application for Redback Develop to demolish the non-scheduled parts of the Masonic. Redback wants to build luxury apartments and a cafe within the footprint of the old building as well as developing outside the original footprint and building underground carparks.

Devonport Heritage said the consent would mean the demolition of the Masonic hotel and reconstruction of the facades fronting King Edward Parade and Church St "thus leading to the effective loss of one of Auckland's oldest buildings".

Earlier this year, tavern owner Peter Thwaites said his family business of 21 years no longer delivered an acceptable return on a $2 million investment.

The apartment design recognised the cultural and social heritage of the site because the facade of the Masonic would be restored.

MASONIC TAVERN

* Pub has survived from the 1860s.
* One of the few from that era.
* North Shore's only surviving building of its type.