Building curb upsets many says Ponga

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 48, 18 June 1974, Page 3

Building curb upsets many says Ponga

The number of executive type houses being built in Taupo will be "substantially" reduced under provisions announced in the Budget recently, says Taupo's senior health and building inspector, Mr R. K. Ponga. "People who can afford to build houses over the 1500 square feet limit are upset," he said. "We have had a lot of inquiries from people who now find themselves in a quandary. "The new regulations should not worry the average person too much, but

those who wish to take advantage of a view or want something more .than a standard house are in trouble." Mr Ponga said there was a big demand for executive type housing in Taupo and there appeared to be a humber of people able to pay high prices for houses over 1500 square feet. "There is a trend in this town to go for designs which are a little bit better than the standard house. Younger people especially are trying to get away from the conventional plans," he said. "The 1500 square feet limit should give the ordinary person with a level section plenty of scope. "He should not suffer

too badly, although it will probably affect a lot of people who want to put their homes on a basement, to take the place of other accessory buildings." Mr Ponga said his department had rejected several applications which did not comply with the new building regulations. Several people had sought advice on ways of conforming to the building limits imposed in the Budget. "We have had a considerable number of inquiries about the interpretation of the regulations," he said. "The idea is there, but it is not in good practical form at this stage. "There is nothing very clear about it, and we have had to telephone Wellington with queries. "Basically, though, the new restrictions should not worry us too much. They still give scope for a reasonable sort of house and people can put the extra money into the quality, rather than the size, of the house." The Minister of Finance, Mr Rowling, indicated in his Budget speech that building permits would continue to be freely available for houses up to 1500 square feet, for garages up to 250 square feet and for flats up to 1000 square feet each. Beyond these limits, permits might be deferred up to 18 months. The Government has since changed the new building regulations to allow local bodies to issue building permits for garages with a floor area of up to 450 square feet. But the change will apply only to garages which are substantially prefabricated and detached from the main dwelling.