KEY POINTS:
The Housing Lobby says its concerns that higher-density centres will be the slums of the future have not been relieved by the decision of the inquiry into the Auckland region's growth.
"It's a whitewash that goes against public opinion," lobby spokeswoman Sue Henry said last night.
The inquiry panel heard 996 submissions from the lobby group to reject the proposed Plan Change 6 to the Auckland regional policy statement.
The submissions were opposed by Housing New Zealand, which has made more intensive use of state housing in its prototype redevelopment of Talbot Park in Glen Innes.
Resident numbers there have been boosted by 200 to 700.
In its decision, announced on Tuesday, the panel accepts there are risks associated with poor-quality, high-density developments resulting in an undesirable living environment for future generations.
But it recommends that councils change urban design policies and prepare design controls for their district plans.
"To achieve a compact city increased densities are required," says the panel.
"A number of submitters raised concerns that increased density brings with it overcrowding, exacerbation of health problems, risks to public safety and detrimental impacts on social wellbeing."
However, the panel says, the advancement of higher-intensity living options is central to the region's strategy for handling population growth in the next 50 years.
It considers risks can be reduced through strong and consistent urban design controls to manage the design and quality of new developments.
The panel notes that a number of councils already have design guides and/or controls.
Ms Henry said the Housing Lobby was still concerned.
"When you are cramming people into confined spaces, you are not enhancing social wellbeing."
She said many parts of Auckland were targets for intense development.
