The trust has slammed what it calls a "severely deficient" application, which included a "mischievous attempt" to suggest consultation had satisfied the organisation sufficient regard had been given to historic aspects of the proposal.
Trish Saunders, who put together a petition opposing the project, in her submission deplored what she said was the "incremental destruction" of such buildings, and called on the owner to restore and market them as gentrification naturally occurred.
"Think Parnell or Ponsonby [in Auckland]."
Ms Saunders said this week collecting the signatures had not been hard.
"There's a strong opinion the buildings should stay.
"Once they're gone, that's it."
The plan to demolish the buildings is part of new apartment and retail development by Christchurch developer Luke Dirkzwager.
His business, Prista Apartments, a Christchurch-based firm, wants to demolish buildings from 372 to 392 Princes St and replace them with a five-storey building with 15 apartments, three of which would be penthouses, and retail space on the ground floor, a report from consultant planner Allan Cubitt, of Cubitt Consulting, said.
The development is a non-complying activity under the Dunedin City Council district plan, as the area is a protected townscape precinct.
Eighteen submissions will be considered at a resource consent hearing on December 18, with 10 opposing the development, six supporting, and two asking for changes.
In the Historic Places Trust's submission, Otago-Southland area manager Owen Graham said all five buildings were pre-1900 structures, and were subject to the archaeological provisions of the Historic Places Act.
Mr Graham said the loss of the facades and buildings would have a significant impact on the townscape precinct.
The trust opposed the application in its entirety, because it was not supported by any historic heritage or archaeological impact assessment.
Mr Graham said the application would be a significant test for the integrity of the district plan, and recommended the applicant and council consulted further on heritage issues before any decision was made.
"The proposal fails to recognise or consider any options to retain, re-use or mitigate its effects, and presents a significant threat to the city's historic heritage, in terms of the protected facades, the South Princes St Townscape Precinct, and archaeological sites on the property."
Mr Dirkzwager said this week he had met the trust late last week, and there had been no changes to the application.
Asked if he had misread Dunedin's passion for its historic buildings, he said he did not think he had, and the full story would come out at the hearing.
"There's a bit more to it than what people read into it."
