PHOTO: Sir Peter Jackson and his partner Dame Fran Walsh. BBC
In a surprising turn of events, the contentious housing development originally planned for Shelly Bay in Wellington will no longer proceed. The ownership of the land has been transferred to the renowned filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson and his partner Dame Fran Walsh, as announced jointly by all parties involved today.
Shelly Bay Taikuru Limited and The Wellington Company revealed their decision to halt the planned development, emphasizing that it had been thoroughly considered. The Wellington Company, led by developer Ian Cassels, had undertaken the ambitious $500 million project, set to encompass 350 new homes, but it had faced significant challenges on various fronts.
Cassels expressed gratitude for the support received during the project’s development, acknowledging the substantial efforts invested thus far. He extended his best wishes to Sir Peter and Dame Walsh as they embark on their vision for the bay.
Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh, the new proprietors of the private landholdings, conveyed their enthusiasm for the area’s cultural and historical significance. They expressed their commitment to restoring Shelly Bay to its natural beauty, with immediate plans for landscaping and replanting. Additionally, they envisaged the potential for art and recreational use in the long term, along with the restoration of the existing buildings on the site.
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While the project’s cancellation alters the course of Shelly Bay’s future, it opens up fresh opportunities for the community and future generations, according to Cassels. He underscored the importance of redirecting their efforts toward affordable housing initiatives.
This deal had been in negotiations for several weeks, with The Wellington Company initiating discussions with Walsh and Jackson, who shared a longstanding interest in the area. The company will now shift its focus to other ongoing developments, particularly in the realm of affordable housing.
When asked about the involvement of Mau Whenua, the group that had protested the land sale between 2020 and 2022, or the local iwi, Sir Peter and Dame Walsh mentioned a confidentiality agreement that had been in place since they were approached about the land. Nevertheless, they expressed their willingness to engage with iwi and acknowledged the cultural significance of the land.
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The Shelly Bay saga, located on Wellington’s Miramar Peninsula, had originally envisioned a development featuring 350 new homes, a boutique hotel, and a village green, with an estimated value of $500 million. However, the project had been mired in legal disputes and controversies since its inception, making it one of the most contentious issues in the capital. The land had previously been occupied for 525 days by Mau Whenua, a faction of Taranaki Whānui, who contested the land sale, alleging that it was done secretly and against the wishes of their people. The occupation came to an end in May 2022 after two eviction notices were issued following a year-long occupation.
SOURCE: NZHERALD
The long, sorry saga of Shelly Bay
