Thumbs down to Hilton on Wellington waterfront

Plans for a five-star Hilton Hotel on Wellington's waterfront have been sunk by the Environment Court.

Yesterday, the court upheld appeals from Wellington Civic Trust, Waterfront Watch and nearby property owners against a September 2006 Greater Wellington regional council decision to grant consent to a hotel on the outer T of Queens Wharf.

In the court's decision, Judge Brian Dwyer said using the Outer T for a five-star hotel was inconsistent with the sustainable use of natural and physical resources. He said a hotel would also affect the area's amenity values.

"We include amongst those the dominance of the building in its context, the reduction of public space, the creation of a vehicle precinct on the outer T, the loss of public and private views, the reduction of berthage – which gives the area much of its character – and additional shading on surrounding areas."

The court acknowledged that a hotel would provide economic benefits to the wider community. But those benefits would be achieved at the expense of qualities that made the area special.

"The hotel building will dominate the public space due to its bulk and reduce the public access area around the outer T. The scale of historic development will be disrupted and the new building will dominate the heritage buildings around it."

The court did not believe these adverse effects could be avoided.

Wellington city councillor Helene Ritchie, who was one of the appellants, said the decision vindicated her stand against the project.

Ms Ritchie said the decision showed the city council needed to "get real" about the waterfront and acknowledge public concern about how it was being developed.

Lawyer Con Anastasiou, who represented property owners – including rival five-star hotel The Intercontinental, which objected to the development – said his clients were delighted with the decision. "I think it's a good decision for the people of Wellington."

Waterfront Watch president Pauline Swann had not read the 94-page decision, but said she was over the moon about it.

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast said she was disappointed that the city had lost an opportunity to have a five-star hotel.

Richard Cathie, a spokesman for Waterfront Investments – the company behind the proposal – was disappointed with the decision and said he was still studying it.

REJECT PROJECT

What was proposed? A $45 million five-star hotel with 142 rooms on the outer T of Queens Wharf.

Who were the applicants? Waterfront Investments, a company owned by George and Lyn Middleditch, who also owned the Thistle Inn, Wellington's oldest hotel. Mr Middleditch died in June 2006.

Who supported it? Backers included Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast, Oscar winner Peter Jackson, former Wellington airport chief executive Simon Draper and business and tourism groups.

Who opposed it?A coalition of community groups including Waterfront Watch and Wellington Civic Trust, Victoria University architecture professor Russell Walden, several city councillors and nearby property owners.

Why has the Environment Court turned it down? The court says the hotel building was too big, would reduce public access, would cause traffic problems and affect the wharf's heritage.

What happens next? Waterfront Investments has 15 days to decide if it wants to appeal to the High Court. If an appeal is not lodged, the Environment Court's decision is final.

- © Fairfax NZ News