17 Jan 2012

Cottage to be demolished despite heritage advice

7:53 am on 17 January 2012

A 19th century cottage in Freemans Bay in Auckland is to be demolished after Auckland Council overturned a ruling from its own heritage adviser.

The single storey weatherboard house on Paget Street is about 130 years-old.

It is set back from the street and looks towards the central city, with a prime view of the Sky Tower.

The house is classed as part of residential zone one, which seeks to protect historic buildings.

A heritage advisor for the council recommended a demolition request for the cottage be declined. However, an external consultant then found in favour of the applicant.

Cr Mike Lee says the decision to approve the demolition poses serious questions about the impartiality of the consent process.

He says the approval process was highly questionable and if the demolition goes ahead, it will be against the wishes of many people.

The council is holding a full peer review of the resource consent decision.