Auckland Council is proposing to remove parts of both Northcote and Birkenhead Points from the Special Character Area which currently protects heritage houses from demolition and restricts over-development of sites.

To comply with Government intensification legislation, council has to find ways to increase housing throughout Auckland. 

Council has reviewed Special Character Areas and proposed that parts of these historic areas should be removed from the protections.

This means that sites could be subdivided into three dwellings, each three storeys high, one metre from residential boundaries. No resource consent would be needed nor would there be any requirement for new houses to be sympathetic with the heritage surroundings.   Furthermore, some parts of Birkenhead will have further allowances to build up to 6 stories high.

There would be severe impacts on neighbours’ sunlight, privacy and peace.

Such development would ruin the very qualities Birkenhead and Northcote are recognised for - its history, its streets of villas and cottages and the relationship between the village, the houses and the sea.

All the city’s heritage areas are at risk and we support their continued protection under the Special Character Area rules.

Auckland Council must recognise its historic significance by continuing with the Special Character Area rules that will protect it for future generations.