If residential properties in Thorndon were to be designated as ‘heritage’ properties a major concern is that even sensible property modifications/home improvement/maintenance projects initiated by the owners could be impacted.
Additional effort (and costs) could be inflicted by potential requirements to apply for consents (this being the additional ‘cost’ of regulatory intervention).
Here are a few examples of sensible property ‘improvement’ projects by owners of a 90 year old Thorndon residence situated in the Hobson precinct, in order to:
– improve light and streetscape, (remove a mature tree on the frontage whose roots were also uplifting public paving)
sensible changes to streetscape – nice tree, wrong location; causing unwelcome winter shade and paving damage
– change frontage (modify fence)
sensible street frontage changes
– install new gas heaters and flues (requiring external chimney modifications)
sensible chimney modifications – resulting from installing new flues to support new gas heaters
– replace the original leaky roof (in this instance the original diamond patterned tile roof was replaced with the benefits of a lighter and bracing, watertight, corrugated colour steel roofing, flashings and gutters)
sensible contemporary roofing – better bracing, better flashings, stronger gutters
Like
– replace original granite steps, to improve safety and access (replaced with a significant wooden structure and contemporary non-slip surface treatments)
sensible entrance-way changes – safety improvements, non-slip materials
– repairs to garage at street frontage (reconstruct facade to eliminate structural damage to the lintel; floor re-poured/levelled to prevent flooding)
sensible repairs to garage on frontage – broken lintel, new floor to improve levels/prevent flooding
If this property fell within a ‘heritage’ regime how many of these kinds of projects would possibly require ‘heritage auditors’ to contrive an opinion?
We’ve done well so far. Unless invited, generally residential home owners in Thorndon do not welcome the addition of ‘heritage police’ determinations on how to improve or maintain our aged properties. Generally we succeed in sensibly preserving and improving our properties. Any extra ‘superintendence’ by the regulator is unnecessary and unwelcomed intervention.
A Thorndon Resident
