6 October 2023
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Derelict Bellingham Cres
Enquiry
I noticed some notorious flats that were owned by Stephen Bhana in Fordlands have now gone. Over the years I've written several stories about them.
The address is 17 and 17a Bellingham Cres.
When you get a moment, can you let me know what happened with them, if the council was involved in having them demolished?
Wondering how recently they were torn down (might have been years ago to be honest!).
Response
We provided the following information:
Demolition of the derelict buildings (a garage and block of flats) on the site (17A and B Bellingham Crescent) was undertaken between September 2022 and May 2023.
Property was deemed uninhabitable under an Insanitary Building Notice issued in November 2019. No remedial work was undertaken as a result of that.
In May 2022 RLC agreed to a court consent order giving RLC the authority to demolish the buildings if the owner failed to do so in accordance with the court order.
Some demolition was undertaken by the owner but was not completed.
RLC commissioned contractors to complete the demolition and associated works and has since been partially reimbursed by the owner for this.