A huge retirement village planned for an Auckland seaside community has cleared a major hurdle after residents withdrew their opposition.
An artist's impression of the planned 600-bed retirement complex in Devonport, Auckland. Photo: Supplied
The Devonport Peninsula Precinct Society strongly opposed Ryman Healthcare's plans to build a six-storey retirement village with 300 carparks at Ngataringa Bay.
The development includes a 120-bed hospital, 195 apartments and 78 assisted-living suites.
The complex has already been granted consent by Auckland Council but the society lodged an appeal with the Environment Court in February to challenge the development.
The group said the bulk and scale of the project was at odds with the natural beauty of the site, which looks out over Waitemata harbour and lies next to a strip of regenerating native bush.
However, society chairperson Iain Rea said that after a month of talks, the two parties had now come to an agreement and the development was now waiting for the Environment Court's approval.
Positive negotiations with developers were possible and it would save builders a lot of time if they simply talked to the community first, he said.
"Any large developer wanting to develop in any community around New Zealand will take note that it's worth talking with the locals and engage them in the planning and proposal process because then the outcomes are so much better," Mr Rea said.