Residents fear plans to 'ghettoise' Johnsonville

Central Johnsonville will become a ghetto if plans that would allow construction of four-storey apartment blocks are adopted by the city, angry residents say.

They are backed by Ohariu MP Peter Dunne, who said he would work with the community to prevent the area from being "ghettoised".

But Wellington City Council say its plan would prevent urban sprawl and make the suburb more vibrant with quality housing no higher than three storeys. The council is looking to amend its district plan so the area surrounding Johnsonville's town centre can be used for medium-density housing.

More infill housing – houses built among existing properties – would be allowed under the proposal.

It would help Johnsonville's 9000-strong population grow by 3000 without stretching beyond its current boundary.

The changes are being considered as part of the council's rolling review of its planning rules and the deadline for public submissions is Friday.

Johnsonville Residents Association spokesman Graeme Sawyer said most residents were not aware of the impact of the proposed plan change but opposition was growing.

The association had asked the council to extend the consultation period by six months – as it did earlier this year over Thorndon's heritage status – but it was declined.

"Essentially, they said what part of no don't you understand?"

Developers would flock to the suburb to build 10-metre-high, four-storey apartment blocks if the council voted for change, Mr Sawyer said.

"The developers will just bang them up, whip people in, and get their money out. They will target the low end of the rental market and turn Johnsonville into a ghetto for years to come. If they [council] put this through then Johnsonville, as we know it, is dead."

Mr Dunne supported the association's view that central Johnsonville would become a ghetto if the plan change is endorsed by the council. "[It] will change completely the landscape and tone of Johnsonville, and destroy Johnsonville's village atmosphere."

Council's urban development portfolio leader Andy Foster said the proposed rules imposed the same height and site coverage limits currently used for inner residential areas.

"On that basis that means that Thorndon, Newtown, Mt Cook and Mt Victoria are all ghettos – which of course is nonsense."

The idea that four-storey apartment blocks would be allowed under the rules was also dismissed by Mr Foster.

"You would have to be digging down into the ground to achieve that. In reality it is three storeys."

Mr Foster welcomed the controversy as the council "wants submissions from the public and people to take an interest".

They Say:

The Dominion Post asked people in Johnsonville whether there should be more housing and how it would affect the village feel of the suburb.

Neville Wyatt, Johnsonville, 46, shop assistant: "There shouldn't be more housing in Johnsonville. Apartment blocks can end up being ghettos, not all the time, but you have to be careful."

Eileen Mallard, Johnsonville, 65, retired: "It will spoil the village feel. We will have people on the streets begging for money, we will have alcoholics ... and when you are older, seeing those sorts of people around you is very scary."

- © Fairfax NZ News