Growing pressure to protect heritage buildings

The Auckland City Council last week approved a $180,000 allocation to review special character heritage zones with an eye to strengthening the rulebook.

Juliet Yates, head of the development committee, said retaining the city's character was important and the move was a reaction to the swiftly changing face of the city as a result of development pressure on its housing stock. "We want to ensure that while the city grows, we are still retaining its essential character," she said.

The Herne Bay Peninsula Group was formed this year to lobby against heritage destruction and Parnell residents were also up in arms after they found they were powerless to stop the demolition of an Edwardian home at 42 St Stephens Ave.

Now, Devonport residents - left smarting after extensive alterations to the historic home at 2 Buchanan St near the waterfront - are complaining about the bulldozing of a 1920s home on Friday.

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