Auckland’s St Lukes owner Scentre has been attempting to get approval from Auckland Council to double its size.

The public has been reeling at its lack of inclusion in its plans.

Albert Eden Local Board chairman, Peter Haynes, has stated that if the expansion goes ahead it would have devastating consequences for Mt Albert and Pt Chevalier shopping strips while many local residents fear increased traffic and its consequences.

Despite this hoo-ha council gave the go ahead today after much consideration and debate, which effectively turns St Lukes into the country’s largest mega mall, with floor space set to increase from four ha to 7.7 ha and then to 9.2 ha.

Linda Cooper, chairperson of the Auckland Council hearings committee, has stressed that the outcome must be robust and able to stand up to any challenges while Tracey Grant, the council’s senior resource consent project manager, had recommended that Scentre’s application to expand the mall to 7.7 ha be non-notified.

Scentre has been accused of getting its way through increasing the mall size gradually to avoid public notification.

This is just one of many makeovers that are in the pipeline for Auckland’s malls from St Lukes to Downtown, Milford, Pakuranga and Sylvia Park.