Hundreds of residents fight Ellerslie racecourse rezoning

A group of Ellerslie residents fear a successful rezoning submission in their suburb will pave the way for more development in green, open spaces.

Ellerslie Racecourse Rezone Opposition Society held a public meeting last night to tell residents about Auckland Racing Club's rezoning submission to the Auckland City Council, which aims to change the status of some land from open spaces to high-density housing.

The group says the proposed tower apartment blocks, some of which could reach 12 storeys, would ruin the skyline, and development would worsen the traffic flow in the area.

Society spokesman Daniel Maclaren said: "There are residents here who are in heritage houses and are not allowed to develop above one storey. They will have their view changed considerably by this development."

The Ladies Mile resident said it took him 20 minutes to get out of his driveway last week. "This will only worsen if this plan goes forward."

Racing club chief executive Chris Weaver said opposition to the development was from an isolated group of residents, who had exaggerated the plans. "[Most] Ellerslie residents will embrace this development - it will drive up property prices ... and create more jobs."

To read the full NZ Herald story click here

Posted: 24 Feb 2009

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