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)
- change frontage (modify fence)
- install new gas heaters and flues (requiring external chimney modifications)
- 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)
- replace original granite steps, to improve safety and access (replaced with a significant wooden structure and contemporary non-slip surface treatments)
- repairs to garage at street frontage (reconstruct facade to eliminate structural damage to the lintel; floor re-poured/levelled to prevent flooding)
(click on any image to enlarge)
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
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