KEY POINTS:
Proposed zoning changes to allow apartments and offices to be built on the Chelsea Sugar Refinery site will go to the North Shore City Council for approval on Friday, with the backing of independent planning commissioners.
New Zealand Sugar general manager Bernard Duignan said the company was satisfied with the recommendations on its private plan change to the District Plan.
"If the recommendations are accepted by the parties in their present form, then New Zealand Sugar can proceed with the sale of the 36.7ha of the Chelsea Estate to the Chelsea Park Trust for a public park."
Agreement for the sale was reached in December 2005, conditional on the trust raising the $20 million purchase price, which it has, and a change to the District Plan allowing a suitable pattern of land use for the remaining 15ha, including heritage buildings, should the refinery close.
Mr Duignan said the private plan change was "about planning for the future" for the company's land. "New Zealand Sugar is a strong business and we have no plans to cease operations."
The hearing of the plan change bid drew submissions from about 170 North Shore residents as well as the city council and the Auckland Regional Council.
Objectors get 30 working days to lodge appeals.
