High-rises draw 1302 objections

A high-rise proposal for the Milford Shopping Centre has more than 1300 objectors voicing concerns that it would spoil the character and environment of the village.

NZ Retail Group is seeking a change to the North Shore District Plan to allow apartment buildings that exceed the 9m limit under the site's Business 2 zoning.

It plans three new buildings over the centre's carpark of between eight and 15 levels.

The city council said yesterday a public hearing of the plan change bid could be heard in July or August.

The council's call for comments drew 29 submissions for and 1302 against.

An objection from Mark Hall said 225 apartments with carparking were too intensive and would not fit well with the suburban neighbourhood.

Milford Residents' Association chairman Peter Carter said the whole application should be declined until there was a comprehensive evaluation of appropriate growth targets for Milford and five other Shore suburbs set down to become towns.

A survey of 200 residents showed most rejected the intrusion of high-rise buildings into the "urban village".

"North Shore Hospital is over capacity and the five Milford schools within 1.5km of its centre are also over capacity and intensification of Milford will further strain these public amenities," the association's submission said.

Several people expressed support for the plan change in a pro forma submission form.

One from Wendy Sutherland said more people living close to the town centre would revitalise it.