CathNews New Zealand

Wellington City Council has declared the heritage complex Erskine College, in Island Bay, a Special Housing Area.

Many councillors were unhappy about the recommendation but it was finally approved by a vote of 9 to 6.

The move is part of the Wellington Housing Accord signed with the Government last year.

Special housing areas will have fast-tracked consenting conditions, with either no or limited public notification, and limited appeal rights.

The Government can also override the council and declare special housing areas without agreement.

The dilapidated buildings on the site of the college have been the subject of long wrangling, with a standoff between the Wellington Company, which owns the buildings, and Save Erskine College Trust, which is the heritage protection authority for the site.

Developer Ian Cassels, of the Wellington Company, is developing two of the special areas, at Erskine College and Shelly Bay.

In March Cassels said the company was “very, very keen” to keep the chapel and was working on possible ways to retain the college building. The plan was to develop two-storey and three-storey townhouses on agreed parts of the grounds, “but it’s relatively early days”.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: Stuff.co.nz

Additional reading

• Video and stills of inside abandoned Erskine College
• Unrealistic targets, and deep concerns, about city’s special housing plans
• A Wellington city councillor has called for the government to set up a fund of half a billion dollars to help pay for earthquake strengthening

News category: New Zealand.