St Heliers Village gets protection

Eastern Bays Councilllors Millar and Armstrong.

St Heliers Village now protected: The centre plan recognises the particular factors that give St Heliers its unique character.

From City Scene, published on 24 May, 2009.

The St Heliers centre plan to protect the character and amenity of the village has become operative.

Under the district plan change, the development controls for a defined area of the village ensures that future building is sympathetic to, and reinforces, the village's unique qualities.

The centre plan was first mooted in 2003. Following consultation, a plan change was approved in 2006 but was subject to four appeals, which have now been resolved. Two of the appeals were heard in the Environment Court that set conditions including less emphasis on protecting existing building stock while ensuring future development should reinforce the village character.

Eastern Bays councillors Toni Millar and Douglas Armstrong (pictured), said it was recognition of the village's historic importance and intrinsic character. "It's been a hard-fought process but at least we now know that whatever new development takes place this must be in keeping with the village's overall appearance, especially the bay and beachfront," they said.

For more information see Plan modification 145.