KEY POINTS:
The company that is developing 3000 houses at the former Hobsonville Air Base is looking at fitting double glazing and other sound-proofing to cope with potential noise from motorway traffic and aircraft.
The urban showcase development by a Housing New Zealand subsidiary is 2km from Whenuapai Air Base, which Waitakere City Council wants preserved for a future commercial airport.
But a lobby group opposing any airport says the noise and pollution from commercial jets will make Hobsonville an undesirable place to live.
The Whenuapai Air Base Action Group has urged Housing Minister Maryan Street to bring all the pressure she can to ensure a commercial airport is not allowed.
Ms Street said the Government had yet to decide on the future of the air base and had asked the Defence Force for an updated business case and time frames for the Air Force to leave Whenuapai.
She said the subsidiary, Hobsonville Land Company, was taking into account the effects of aircraft noise in its planning.
"For example, it is looking at what acoustic mitigation may be required in houses, depending on their location."
Company spokesman Tom Bridgman said it was not a party to the 2800 submissions made on the council's proposed District Plan Change 22, which proposes to create an airport special zone. "The noise control contours for Whenuapai run basically east-west and are parallel to and clear of the planned Hobsonville development," said Mr Bridgman.
"As planning moves ahead, we will consider what acoustic mitigation may be required for houses, depending on their location, should there be any change to the existing use of Whenuapai Air Base."
But Mr Bridgman said its development would have to meet council district plan rules on noise control.
Resource consents would demand special treatment of high traffic noise from the planned State Highway 18 motorway.
Some houses might need external facade acoustic treatment, including laminated glass or double glazing and sound-proofing materials in walls and ceilings.
Double glazing was being looked at for all houses in the development as part of energy-efficiency measures.
HOBSONVILLE PLANS
* 3000 homes, mixed types at high densities.
* For high, middle and modest income households.
* 500 houses for state rental/social housing.
* Schools, parks, shops.
* Marine industry jobs.
