Strong message for council

A line drawing of the planned structure superimposed on to a photo of St Andrew’s Union Church. PHOTO/MARK JERLING

HAYLEY GASTMEIER
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A petition demanding the public have a say on a four-storey building proposed for Greytown has sent a “strong message”, the South Wairarapa District Council says.

Resident Anne Atkinson, who has collected 206 signatures on a petition, is asking the council to have the resource consent for a four-storey apartment block publicly notified.

The building, planned for Main St, is within the town’s historic precinct and would replace the earthquake-prone Greytown Little Theatre.

Atkinson said she spent 10 days talking to residents about the proposal, with 90 per cent agreeing to sign the petition.

“People aren’t against the building as such, it’s the height and the bulk of it. A lot of people said if you just took off one or two storeys it would be okay.”

She said it would be “monstrous” in a town that was revered for its unique charm.

“People come because Greytown is cute and it’s got that old feeling.

“We’ve got some new buildings too, but they fit in.”

Atkinson said she was concerned that if the building came to fruition, it would set a precedent and more high-rises would start going up.

Masterton architectural designer Mark Jerling superimposed a line drawing of the planned structure on to photographs of prominent buildings in the township.

“Whenever you try to put a drawing with a photo it’s never going to be 100 per cent accurate, but it’s an attempt to show the scale of what is being proposed,” he said.

Greytown resident Alisoun Werry called the Times-Age, because of her shock at how the development would dwarf the town.

“I just think it will destroy the effort the heritage trust went through to have the main street declared a heritage precinct over 25 years ago, and its work maintaining and enhancing the Victorian buildings.”

The council group manager planning and environment, Russell O’Leary, said he had received the petition which demonstrated “clear concern” from the community.

He said other community groups had been in touch, also concerned with the building’s size.

The resource consent was due to be completed on Friday, but the council has requested “more detailed plans, along with further heritage assessment and information on compliance with the district plan”, from the developer, Westwood Land Developments Ltd, which was behind The Hub retail development, also on Main St.

“The recent petition received on this proposal has been put on file,” O’Leary said. “The notification decision for the resubmitted consent application will be carefully considered under the notification provisions of the Resource Management Act.”

Developer Steve Pilbrow did not wish to comment.