Mass Auckland Council bungle halts house renovation projects, could stymie 430 homeowners

Work has stopped on a handful of renovations and the council may face a big bill.

Hundreds of Auckland homeowners may be affected by a mass consenting bungle at Auckland Council.

The Council's consent team revealed today that 430 homeowners in Special Character Zones may have been wrongly handed consents.

Are you one of those affected? Please contact Katie Bradford - Katie.Bradford@tvnz.co.nz

It's because of the wording of special overlay areas, contained in the 2016 Unitary Plan.

Four or five of those affected have had to stop work on major projects, such as renovating villas.

The Environment Court ruled the process needed to take into account wider amenity affects such as height, bulk and setback controls.

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Most of those who had incorrectly received consents were making alterations or repairs to their property.

While the consents are valid, they could possibly be subject to judicial review, so the Council is recommending all owners reapply for consent.

Those affected will be sent letters in the next three weeks.

The Council will pay the cost of new consents and of any mediation. It's also looking at compensation for those who've had to stop work.

The Unitary Plan will also need to be changed, but that could take at least a year.


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