The Sunday Star-Times of 16 August 2015 published an in-depth article on the proposed demolition of the historic Hanna Block at King’s School. It outlines the building’s history and presents the case for retention, championed by old boy and Waitemata Local Board member Rob Thomas. Read the full article here.
The Last Day of “Remembrance” of the art installation at St David’s soldiers’ memorial church in Khyber Pass was marked by a very special presentation on 23 July. Corporal Apiata, VC presented Mark Bramwell, grandson of New Zealand’s only Gallipoli VC, and first WWI VC, Lieutenant Colonel Bassett, with a...
Talks aimed at removing density controls in the Proposed Unitary Plan for 50% of residential Auckland are being held between Auckland Council, developers and community group Auckland 2040. This would allow no density limits in the Mixed Housing Urban zone, and no density limits on sites greater than 1000 sq.m....
On Wednesday 15 July, the Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel released interim guidance which said it was not convinced that houses in character areas necessarily qualified for historic heritage status and protection. The panel said the council’s proposed interim demolition control overlay put unnecessary pressure on landowners wanting to develop...
Our first Winter Lecture for 2015 was held on Sunday 12 July. Civic Trust Board member architect Julian Mitchell from Mitchell Stout Architects presented on the redevelopment of the scheduled heritage Lopdell House, and the construction of the new Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, linked to the older building. Julian...
King’s School has approval from the council to demolish the Hanna Block to make way for the construction of a new four storey 19 classroom block to meet 21st century student needs. The Hanna Block was originally built as a two storey dormitory block with bedrooms, bathrooms, changing rooms, workshops,...
Our CTA board member Julian Mitchell, is from Mitchell & Stout Architects, who are up for an international award for their redevelopment of the Lopdell House precinct. He will be presenting on this project at Lopdell House on Sunday 12 July – see Events for more details. A spokesman for...
The High Court has ruled that resource consents should not have been granted for Ports of Auckland’s extension of Bledisloe Wharf. Work on the wharf has been stopped. The decision by Justice Geoffrey Venning is a significant victory for Urban Auckland, Stop Stealing our Harbour and the thousands of Aucklanders who protested in various...
Heritage groups were out in force on Tuesday 12 June, making presentations to the Independent Hearings Panel on the Proposed Unitary Plan, on the topics of Special Character and the Pre-1944 Demolition Control Heritage Overlay. Much of the day was taken up with strong advocacy for Auckland’s heritage from various...
Urban Auckland headed to court on Tuesday 2 June to battle Ports of Auckland over the controversial Bledisloe Wharf extensions into the harbour. Civic Trust has been supporting Urban Auckland in their fight to get public input into the resource consent decisions. See Herald article here for more details.