'Hypocrisy': Devonport group cries foul over developer’s about-face

 The Devonport Lanes development would see four new buildings in the village as well as restored heritage facades. Photo: Devonport Lanes / Supplied

An Auckland heritage group has accused a developer of “hypocrisy”, saying it was “falling over itself” to engage until fast-track consenting became an option.

The Devonport Lanes proposal sparked controversy when an application to the consenting regime was leaked by the village’s local paper, prompting community meetings and a protest involving big red balloons.

It would see up to 90 apartments and 50 hotel rooms across four buildings, substantially changing the character of the seaside township.

But Margot McRae of Devonport Heritage says it’s not intensification that locals have rallied against.

“Everyone says to us we’re against change. No, we’re not, but eight stories is just ruinous. It’s as simple as that,” she told The Post.

“What everyone is against is the height; it’s so out of scale ... The campaign here and the signs we’ve got everywhere is ‘no to eight, but four is ok’.”

 The Devonport Heritage group put up protest ballons in the village to show how high proposed new apartment buildings would be. Photo: Devonport Heritage / Supplied

However, Mark Hiddleston of developer Peninsula Capital argues that without urgent intervention, Devonport’s historic buildings would “waste away”.

“We’re really proud of Devonport’s beautiful Edwardian-style heritage. It’s some of the most beautiful in New Zealand. Many of those heritage facades have needed restoration for a long time.

“Through this development we’re going to be restoring them. That will happen because of this project.”

And he said the proposed height wasn’t “an arbitrary number” - it was part of what made the economics of heritage restoration “sustainable”.

It’s one of several local battles across Auckland over the fast-track consenting regime, which excludes general public submissions in favour of speeding up “regionally significant” projects.

McRae argues it’s being “misused”.
“It was supposed to be for power plants, solar panels and bridges ... But I think developers have seen the opportunity.”

 The Devonport Heritage group put up protest balloons in the village to show how high proposed new apartment buildings would be. Photo: Devonport Heritage / Supplied

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has so far referred 65 projects through the regime.

“Fast track was set up to fix a problem New Zealanders know all too well. Important projects were stuck for years in delay, buried in bureaucracy, with costs spiralling and communities missing out,” he has said.

But McRae says Devonport Heritage’s exclusion from providing feedback is particularly galling given what she describes as “love-dovey” emails from the developer in 2023.

In emails seen by The Post, Hiddleston said Peninsula was “committed to working with local stakeholders” and that “community engagement is a key element to the success of this long-term project, regardless of the planning process”.

“We must bring the community and its support with us,” he wrote.

But McRae said that approach changed.

“And then, of course, fast track comes in and silence. It’s like ‘who cares, we don’t even need you any more’.”

 Devonport Heritage's Margot McRae inside an 1897 Devonport villa. Photo: Liz Willis / The Post

When the application was leaked, Peninsula had compiled a list of parties it thought should be consulted - and Devonport Heritage did not make the cut.

“We’re calling it a bit hypocritical to be falling over themselves to work with us for a year and a half, until they realised they can do fast track,” said McRae.

Hiddleston acknowledged originally approaching “many interested parties”, but said fast track had “its own statutory framework” for participation.

“That framework will ensure the project receives thorough scrutiny from a range of perspectives,” he said.

Last week, McRae met North Shore MP Simon Watts and gave him a letter to pass to Bishop, asking the minister to reject the application for referral or ensure Devonport Heritage is invited to comment.

Under the Fast-track Approvals Act, the minister can specify who a consenting panel should consult.

“We’re saying, clearly Peninsula Capital saw us as someone who should be consulted with,” said McRae.

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority - a co-governance board of council and iwi representatives - has also written in opposition, warning the proposed height would have an “adverse impact” on views of Takarunga Mt Victoria for people arriving at the wharf.

McRae said those views were fundamental to Devonport’s character.

“If you come to Devonport from the ferry, it’s that little village that nestles between two maunga.”

 The Devonport Lanes development would see four new buildings in the village as well as restored heritage facades. Photo: Devonport Lanes / Supplied

Hiddleston said Peninsula had engaged mana whenua and the design was “consciously respectful of the maunga, ensuring it remains the dominant feature of Devonport”.

“Height was the last thing to get resolved, not the first.”

Devonport Heritage does support parts of Peninsula’s proposal, including taking down the “horrible” former ASB building and rebuilding a historic façade.

McRae also acknowledges that “all the oldies in our villas will need to get into an apartment” eventually.

“A lot of what they’re doing is good. It’s just extraordinarily too high,” she says.