Putt is referring to a proposal by Auckland Council to rezone nearly one in four of 21,000 homes with heritage values in 'Special Character Areas' for high density housing. A council review of the Special Character Areas assessed whether each property has high, medium or low qualities. The coalition wants to remove special character areas in walkable catchments and improve listed heritage protections and high quality character. Coalition spokesman Scott Caldwell told Stuff the council's plans were "very undercooked" and special character areas should never have had protections to begin with. Submissions on the proposed changes to special character areas and new housing density rules close on May 9.

Source: Stuff May 05, 2022 12:24 UTC