Westfield mall delay welcomed

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A community group has welcomed delays to Westfield NZ's plans to create the country's largest shopping mall by extending St Lukes.

Graham Dekker, St Lukes Community Association convener, said council amalgamation meant the issue was stalled.

Auckland City deferred making a decision on a recommendation from planning commissioners to approve Westfield's private plan change to the incoming Auckland Council.

Dekker said the council and new mayor, "will bring a fresh perspective to this debate".

Westfield wants a private plan change to develop St Lukes but Dekker said the mall was in the heart of a residential belt between Mt Albert and Mt Eden.

"Although Auckland City Council recommended to Westfield that it do so, Westfield did not consult with residents prior to applying for the private plan change," Dekker said.

"Auckland Regional Council submitted that the private plan change should be declined because a 'structure plan' for the area had not been prepared. Such a plan would ensure that the impact of development in the Morningside/St Lukes town centre will be thoroughly examined through the structure plan process which includes extensive consultation with the community."

Residents were angered at a report from planning commissioners released last month and instructed Wellington lawyer Mai Chen of Chen Palmer to represent them.

She wrote to the John Banks-led council, imploring it not to consider the Westfield decision in its last days.