Small buffer between Hobsonville School and 12-metre-high factory

AMY BAKER/FAIRFAX NZ

Hobsonville School spoke out against the new manufacturing building approved on their boundary, and the fact it encroached by 30cm onto a three-metre 'buffer zone'.

A manufacturing company has backtracked and agreed to respect a consented boundary buffer between their future 12-metre high factory and a primary school.

Two weeks ago, Hobsonville School issued a notice to parents expressing discontent at not having not been notified about the building, and that it also violated the required three-metre buffer zone from the school's boundary.

The building, which will take up approximately half of the school's back boundary, had only been allocated 2.7 metres as a buffer, the school's principal Anne Leitch said.

However, Ministry of Education head of education infrastructure service Kim Shannon said the issue has now been resolved.

She said Autex Industries has agreed to "comply with the original consent restrictions" that provided the school with a three-metre buffer zone.

Autex managing director Rob Croot said while some plans initially referenced a 2.7m buffer, landscaping will begin three metres from the boundary. ​An acoustic fence will also be put up. 

Croot said the company was aiming to meet with the board and parents to discuss any concerns and questions they have.

The resource consent for the building at 38-40 Westpoint Drive was approved in July 2017.

Auckland Council manager resource consents North West Ian Dobson said as the area is zoned for 'light industrial activities' within the Auckland Unitary Plan, no resource consent was required for the manufacturing activity proposed.

However, a resource consent was required in relation to the land disturbance and size of construction vehicles. 

A separate consent notice was also required for the property, which included the prerequisite buffer and fencing.