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Supporters of Mangere community action group SOUL will be this morning protest outside the venue of today’s consent hearing into Fletcher Residential’s plan to turn an ancient landscape near Ihumatao into a special housing area.
Spokesperson Brendan Corbett says the development on the last remnants of rural Mangere does not match the criteria for an SHA because the area lacks infrastructure and amenities.
He says there’s a viable, alternative 33 hectare site on nearby Ascot Rd owned by Watercare which might allow for greater housing density, and is closer to jobs, services and shops.
SOUL, or Save Our Unique Landscape, will present evidence by mana whenua, community members, and unpaid geologists, archaeologists, environmental and heritage consultants.
The company says the development creates little harm.
Mr Corbett says the 90 homes in the Ihumatao pa will be dwarfed by the 480- house development in the adjoining fields.
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