Rules are rules when it comes to building

You can't do works without the appropriate consents.

OUR story on the Greytown developer facing prosecution for altering an historical building without permission has already resulted in a heated phone call to the editor, suggesting the South Wairarapa District Council had better things to do than penalise developers who were wanting to bring prosperity to the town.

Steve Pilbrow, who is developing the former Four Square building into a shopping complex, has ironically now got permission to do his works, and construct a new build next door. So the court action is a point of legal principle. You can't do works without the appropriate consents.

I am venturing an opinion on a matter before the courts, but I would be confident the courts, and the judge, are above my opinion. To me, this is definitely a point of principle. The council stands in the role of the expert and overseer on infrastructure, construction and town planning, but it also has a role to protect its citizens.

This is not Russia, or Istanbul, or a large number of countries where building construction can simply happen as a precarious and continual arrangement until an earthquake strikes, killing hundreds. And speaking of earthquakes, it's worth considering Christchurch's CTV building, which did not meet building standards.

These are extreme situations where developers put themselves before regulations and permits, but it's a question of degree. If the South Wairarapa District Council does not proceed with a prosecution, what message is that sending to other developers?

If you want to crack into the work because you're behind on the work or you've got men sitting on tools, the council will understand? Ugly buildings, like the former Four Square, are fair game?

Councils have another protection role - to preserve the heritage features in their district. This is particularly important in towns such as Greytown.

In return, developers may gripe that council are slow in signing off on consents, and I believe some are bad at this. Slow councils cost developers lots of money in delays and penalties.

But rules are rules. It is the most basic concept of construction work that you get permission and sign-off. It is a slippery slope if we go down the route of letting the odd thing through. Just how far would "the odd thing" go?