Locals fear HNZ plans for $8m site

Housing NZ chief executive Glen Sowry. Photo / Natalie Slade

Mt Albert residents are up in arms against a Housing New Zealand project, fearing a 34-unit site will soon have 80 apartments.

About 100 residents, many with homes worth $1 million-plus, this week met HNZ over the issue of 33 Asquith Ave on the Burch St corner, a site declared a special housing area.

Anne Duncan, a real estate agent, said many houses in the area were worth $1.3 to $1.5 million so she wants the scale and type of development limited. She says HNZ should sell the land.

"You're talking about $8 million. It doesn't make great economic sense for Housing NZ to develop it," she said of the land once owned by Mt Albert Grammar.

Glen Sowry, Housing New Zealand chief executive, said no exact numbers were yet planned for the site.

He said HNZ had twice met residents and "we have noted the community's concerns and desires". Demolition of existing buildings would likely not take place until the new year.

Auckland councillor and local Cathy Casey said she shared the community's concerns about the lack of information on what HNZ proposed for the site.

"What is the mix of housing? What is the design brief? What is the timeline for the demolition and build? I also share the local community's concern regarding HNZ's submission to the Unitary Plan asking for an increase in the density of the site to 80. Does that mean the site is going to sit vacant for two years till the Unitary Plan is finalised?"

Scott Hunter, of Asquith Ave, has asked HNZ to discuss the number of dwellings, building height and design, character of the new buildings, bulk and location. The proposed Unitary Plan allows for 40 units on this size site.

Mr Hunter said it was important that the number of new dwellings were limited to the regulations.