Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh have stepped in to end the controversial plans to develop Shelly Bay in Wellington by buying the land and cancelling the project.

Quick Scoop

The long-disputed Shelly Bay development, which would have seen hundreds of homes built on Wellington’s Miramar Peninsula, has been scrapped after the site’s sale to filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson and producer Dame Fran Walsh. The pair, who had been prominent critics of the project for years, purchased the land from the developers and announced plans to restore the bay’s natural character instead of proceeding with large-scale housing.

What exactly happened?

  • A proposed multi-hundred-million-dollar residential development at Shelly Bay faced years of protests, court challenges, and political tension.
  • Developers ultimately sold the land to Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh, long-time opponents of the scheme.
  • Following the purchase, they confirmed the housing development would not go ahead and signalled a focus on landscape restoration and future arts and recreation uses for the area.

Why was it controversial?

  • Critics argued the project mishandled local iwi interests, environmental concerns, and coastal resilience issues.
  • Supporters pointed to the need for more housing in Wellington, including more affordable homes.
  • The cancellation has been welcomed by many local residents and campaigners, but has also reignited debate about housing supply and where large developments should go instead.

In short, when you ask “who has stepped in to end controversial plans to develop Shelly Bay in Wellington?”, the answer is: Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh.

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