'Not friendly': Council's heritage process panned

Homeowner Vaughn Malkin, of Belleknowes, says there has been no equal partnership after the...
Homeowner Vaughn Malkin, of Belleknowes, says there has been no equal partnership after the council proposed that his home be scheduled as a heritage house. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
A "shotgun" approach to heritage is forcing Dunedin homeowners to have their properties listed against their will, a concerned resident says.

The Dunedin City Council has identified up to 146 buildings which may be added to heritage schedules as part of proposed changes to the district plan.

Voluntary Heritage Group Dunedin leader and homeowner Petrus Yen said the current process burdened homeowners who did not approve the heritage listing.

He wanted to see preservation balanced with "economic realities".

"We’re not against heritage preservation; we simply want it done in a fair ... and sustainable way."

The council responded, encouraging those affected to have their say when submissions open next month.

Mr Yen has launched a digital petition, calling for fair heritage processes from the council.

"This kind of shotgun approach to heritage listings happens because there is no financial cost to councils.

"Many homeowners simply resign to the heritage listing, resulting in regulatory creep and taking the financial hit."

Mr Yen’s family home was affected by the proposed changes — he was worried it could devalue the house.

"Everything we would’ve worked for would be wiped out at no fault of our own ... the current heritage system is flawed."

He planned to submit the petition to the council during public submission period next month.

Homeowner Vaughn Malkin said he had signed the petition hoping the council would take an even-handed approach.

The proposal to add his home to a heritage list had come "out of the blue".

"It would be really lovely if they were a bit more forward-thinking and you know, just didn’t act like bureaucrats," he said.

"I’m the one who pays the bills to get things fixed ... I’d expect to be seen as an equal partner in this — at the moment there’s no equality."

He and his late partner had done up their 1950s Belleknowes home and had never thought of it as a heritage house.

However, it was an early design of late architect Sir Miles Warren.

A letter from the council informed him of the proposed heritage listing, including the bylaws which authorised the council take the action.

"It’s not been a friendly process.

"You kind of feel as though it’s a little bit of a threat. And you’ve done nothing except own a house."

He had met council staff to get a further explanation and explain his concerns about the process — the council later sent him a revised submission maintaining its proposal.

"No-one came and knocked on the door ... even the photo on the submission was a sneaky picture down the driveway."

It felt like the council were "staking a claim".

He had asked for a rates rebate and received a "point blank no".

"That kind of summed up for me there and then, the council’s willingness to be fair about things."

A council spokesperson said the main purpose of heritage scheduling was to protect against an "unacceptable" loss of heritage values.

They encouraged anyone who believed their building should not be scheduled to make a submission seeking a change to the proposal.

"The council regularly receives submissions from a large number of people both supporting, opposing and seeking amendments to proposed changes.

"Hearing panels often make a number of changes in response to submissions."

Changes to the district plan required a heritage specialist to demonstrate a building met a standard of significance, based on the Resource Management Act.

Councillor Sophie Barker hoped a balance between public and private interests could be reached.

She welcomed the petition and people’s views on the plan change — "we can hopefully find a solution that fairly suits most people".

Growing up at Larnach Castle, she was well aware of issues around building regulations.

"They can be quite painful, so [we] need to have good feedback from stakeholders so we can work on solutions for the best heritage outcomes for our city and the buildings we treasure."

Public submissions open for a month in late November. A public hearing is scheduled for mid-2025.

 

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