Heather BauchopAfter criticism heritage designation could infringe upon personal property rights, the Waitaki District Council has raised the bar for considering heritage protection - when owners object - in its forthcoming heritage schedule. Only heritage structures with ''exceptional'' significance will be considered for inclusion in the heritage schedule against their owners' wishes for the Waitaki district's forthcoming district plan, the council decided yesterday. Nearly two years ago the council asked for the public's help in identifying heritage worth protecting in the district as it rewrote its district plan. The call to action raised a list of some 200 heritage items, but also raised the ire of some property owners. Council heritage adviser Heather Bauchop's report to council yesterday states council staff wrote to about 60 owners of proposed items in January and about 100 in August, seeking feedback.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 08, 2019 15:33 UTC