More than 400 new homes will be built in Hobsonville Point as part of the construction of a new housing and employment hub.
The council’s Auckland Development Committee (ADC) approved the Airfields Masterplan on 12 November 2015, which will see construction on the 20 hectare block begin shortly.
Original plans for the council-owned site included a marine precinct and an Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) proposal for the site to be used as a Screen Industrial Precinct to support the growth of the film industry.
The Airfield Masterplan will provide for a mix of housing types including affordable homes as the site is within a Special Housing Area.
Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Auckland Development Committee, Penny Hulse, said while plans for a screen precinct won’t progress, it was encouraging to hear the level of market interest.
“We are certainly not giving up on a film precinct out west and are very committed to making that happen,” says Ms Hulse.
“It’s fantastic the land will now be used for a lively employment hub so locals can work near to where they live, not to mention the hundreds of new homes for the rapidly growing region,” she says.
Panuku Development Auckland Interim Chief Executive John Dalzell has also welcomed the decision to proceed with a housing focus for the site.
“The adoption of the Airfield Masterplan is an eagerly awaited outcome that will offer enhanced and integrated urban design and housing, including improved linkages, public connections, open spaces and street frontages,” says Mr Dalzell.
“It also means momentum can be maintained in Hobsonville, removing uncertainty for key stakeholders and making the most of current market conditions,” he says.
