KEY POINTS:
Residents in Herne Bay are celebrating an Environment Court ruling against an intensive development on the site of the Gables pub.
Two developers have planned to demolish the 1970s pub and build a replacement tavern, retail, commercial and residential units on the prime site on the corner of Jervois Rd and Kelmarna Ave.
In a written judgment, Environment Court judge Fred McElrea said the development was an "over intensive use of the site" and would lead to adverse environmental effects and conflict with provisions in Auckland City's district plan.
Plans included a tavern about half the size of the Gables pub, shops with four apartments above on Jervois Rd, space for nine offices, four townhouses fronting Kelmarna Ave and 56 basement carparks.
Kelmarna Ave resident and City Vision community board member Kate Stanton said it was a "fabulous" decision for locals, who had banded together and had spent up to $50,000 fighting the development.
However, she was annoyed at the city council for supporting revised plans for the site after turning down the original proposal.
Council officers' claim that the effects of the new plan were "less than minor" were rejected by the court.
The site was bought by developer Chris Cook, who in 2006 announced plans to redevelop the 2343sq m business-zoned site.
In September last year, the site was bought by property development and investment company Merge Property Group.
Director Campbell Venning said the company was still reviewing the court ruling, taking advice and deciding its next move.
