Concern from Torbay businesses over potential redevelopment of local church land

St Mary’s By The Sea is a Torbay church relocating to Browns Bay, and with the land for sale, the buyer's options to occupy or develop are causing concern amongst neighbouring businesses.

The original church land is located at the corner of Deep Creek Road and Beach Road.

It's 2565 square metres and located within the mixed housing suburban zone, meaning up to three dwellings can be added without requiring recourse consent.

Thomas Snedden, the real estate agent managing the property, says there have been positive inquiries for occupying and developing the property.

But Dave Skea, the manager of Torbay Village Butchery, says the church's move will be a “big loss to the community.”

He says the additional traffic from a development on the church’s land would impact business, as a more congested street would drive customers away.

Skea says the local Torbay businesses are often the last to know when changes are made in the area.

He says he’s been losing customers to other recent developments, as locals have been moving out due to ongoing construction.

Beach Road is home to several local businesses, including cafes, bakeries and salons.

Owner of Torbay Dairy, Joga Singh, says the church would be better to be occupied as is, rather than being developed.

Further concern was raised in the Torbay Village Facebook group over what would happen to the church cemetery if the site were developed.

The church’s reverend, Dion Blundell, says the cemetery will remain under the church’s management, as the cemetery was put on a separate title in the 1980s.

The Ash Gardens will continue under the management of the Church's administrator Monday through Friday, with Blundell covering the weekends.

The church is one of many Auckland properties that could be used for residential developments.

An Auckland Council survey found that 14,347 new dwellings were consented for development in 2025.

This number may continue to increase as more housing choices become available to Aucklanders from the proposed changes to Auckland’s Unitary Plan.

The changes would see higher density housing, with more homes built in walking distance to urban centres with shops and frequent public transport.

-----

Our journalists sometimes use AI tools which are checked by humans for accuracy. 

AI was used to transcribe audio from the interview.