Bromley building causes concern

[Concerns are being raised regarding a building project in Bromley. Alexandra Gilbert tells us what is happening, what the problems could be and what we can do.]

You may have seen the article on the front cover of Pegasus Post ''No to housing plan" (Sunday 29 November 2009).  

Resource Consent is being applied to squeeze 18 or 19 residential houses plus an additional 23 double-storey co-joined units making a total of 42 properties onto the 1.96 hectares Rangers football ground site on McGregors Road and Ruru Road.

The resource consent application appears to breach 11 zoning and building requirements, but regardless of that, the Rangers Chairman is quoted as saying arrogantly that there is 'no doubt' that the proposal will be approved.

It is believed that Rangers want to get this land sold to stuff their coffers full prior to moving out of the area and buying into the development of the joint sports venture near New Brighton.  To do this they must get resource consent for the maximum possible number of dwellings on the land so the buyer is attracted to the potential of making a huge profit and then walking away.

The submission clearly shows little motivation to consider the local community or the football ground's loyal neighbours, some of whom, now elderly, have voluntarily cut the grass for the club and put up with additional cars and noise around their properties on match days and training nights, for decades.  There are many concerns about this proposed development, too many for this short letter, but here are some of the main ones:

• There are too many properties being planned for the size of the land - a profile that doesn't fit in with the area. The 'rural feel' of the area will be changed by this development and may pave the way to similar developments in our neighbourhood.
• 'Affordable' housing tends to attract property investment buyers who usually have no interest in the property, local community nor maintaining their properties after purchase. Occupiers are often transient, overcrowd the property to share the rent amongst more people, and bring yet more cars and social challenges into the area.
• There will be a cycle track / walkway linking the development to Merilees Place (another new development that has been slow to take off) and enabling increased access by approx 100 additional people to Cypress Street and Rudds Road.
• If at anytime the units don't sell or rent out, they could be left to deteriorate.  As properties deteriorate, people move away to protect their investment, leaving more properties vacant.  Vacant properties attract vandals, graffitti and squatting.  A deteriorated development on our doorstep could negatively affect the perception and value of our neighbourhood.
• Most families have at least 2 cars.  The 23 units, to be built the width of a single garage (forming the main part of the lower storey) are described as having space for 2 cars.  It is human nature not to want the inconvenience of parking an additional car in front of your garage door.  There is no space for additional parking except for a few guest parking spaces on site which will, more than likely, be used by residents, forcing additional owner's and guest's vehicles to park along the bends of McGregor's Road, Ruru Road and probably Bromley Park car park.  Congestion, a knock-on effect particularly when the Park is being used and reduced visibility for pedestrians and drivers alike is anticipated.  As well as the increased noise, pollution and invitation to more hoons to use the area as a race track.
• The argument being used by the Club that this is 'no more trafic than on match days', shows a willful ignorance of what the existing long term residents have reluctantly put up with once or twice a week, assumes the same number of cars and that current residents find this acceptable now and will find it acceptable 24/7 365 days of the year when the development is built.
• Living next to a football field is very different from living next to a 40+ property housing development.  The option to sell up and move after 30 or 40 years, particularly in a recession, is inconceivable for many of the neighbouring residents.
• A similar style of development built previously in Aranui is now being demolished because of exactly these results.
• On many levels, this plan seems by many to be a 'ghetto waiting to happen'.

As we no longer have an active Bromley Resident's Association, I am individually encouraging you, to consult the plans on the Council website (www.ccc.govt.nz) and comment.  

Submissions close on 11 December 2009. Forms available from the Council or myself.

Alexandra Gilbert,
45 Rudds Road
381 4171