KEY POINTS:
A style of fence in a rural subdivision on the North Shore has proved so controversial that the owner will camouflage it with dark green paint and shrubs.
The fence, for a lifestyle subdivision on Okura River Rd, is the subject of a complaint to the North Shore City Council from the Okura Ratepayers Association.
East Coast Bays Community Board chairwoman Sally Cargill said the board received a deputation from 20 residents who felt it was "a monstrosity" and out of keeping with area.
The 400m solid concrete fence was also deemed a safety risk if a vehicle should run off the road and hit it.
Senior environmental policy adviser Tony Reidy said the council looked into the rules to see what it could do. Unfortunately, he said, there was nothing.
A resource consent was not needed for a fence as a structure less than 2m. Mr Reidy said the council was examining a way to close the loophole in the district plan.
The developer could not be contacted. However, John Warman, a member of the family who sold the land to the developer, said he was sick of hearing so many opinions about the fence that all he could say was "wait until it's finished".
Mr Warman, who is a paint manufacturer, said the present white was just the undercoat. He was helping to select a colour that would allow the fence to merge in with the countryside. It was also planned to cover it with creepers and shrubs.
