MEDIA RELEASE
11 November 2004

Fitzroy Hotel scheduled as a category B

Auckland City Council today confirmed the decision of Independent Hearing Commissioner, Mr Alan Dormer, that Ashington House (the former Fitzroy Hotel) be scheduled in the district plan as a category B building, with a schedule point ranking of 72.

The assessment of this building was considered in an independent hearing on 21 September and reconvened on 13 October 2004, to consider additional information.

Mr Dormer considered all information presented by submitters and concluded that the building assessment carried out by Auckland City was appropriate and agreed with the proposed score of 72.

The building was initially ranked with a score of 57, but additional information submitted during the hearing process elevated the score to 72, following careful consideration by Auckland City. In his report announcing this decision, Mr Dormer acknowledged the robust, consistent and transparent scoring system used by Auckland City.

The future of the building is still under discussion. Auckland City will now go ahead with the proposed district plan scheduling as a category B. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust has extended its interim heritage registration until the next meeting of its board on Friday 10 December, when the issue of ongoing registration will be considered further. The interim registration protects the building from demolition while these processes are underway.

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