A ratepayers' group in Orewa, north of Auckland, says it will go to the Environment Court to stop what it calls a concrete curtain being built on its local beach front.
The Rodney District Council has adopted a plan change to allow ten-storey apartment buildings to be constructed along parts of Orewa's coastline.
Orewa Ratepayers and Residents Association president John Drury says that would completely and utterly ruin the town.
But the Rodney District Council says there will not be a concrete curtain, as developers will only be allowed to build on 30% of each plot of land. The area will be attractive, the council says, with trees, pools and tennis courts.
And Leanne Smith from the business association Destination Orewa says the district plan change will bring more people to the town centre, makes the commercial centre more viable and could encourage more business.
