Changes tipped for developers

Auckland barrister and Resource Management Act specialist Richard Brabant said the judgment was significant because it could change the approval process.

The court allowed an appeal by Westfield (NZ) and business group Northcote Mainstreet against approval for the Fox outlet shopping centre on the North Shore.

Mr Brabant said the decision was significant because it rejected a previous Court of Appeal decision and restored a decision made by the High Court at Auckland.

But it could also spell big changes for developers who sought to have large projects approved on a non- notified basis.

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