Andy Mitchell of the Naenae Residents' Association says they want the Hutt City Council to pause further development of Naenae Community Hub so they can re-examine the consultation process which the association believed to be inadequate.

A group of Lower Hutt residents are questioning the adequacy of consultation for a new community hub.

The Naenae Residents' Association fears the design and placement of the $8 million Naenae Community Hub, scheduled for completion between 2020 and 2021, was a fait accompli before the Hutt City Council engaged with residents.

Residents Association spokesman Andy Mitchell said consultation had been minimal. A three-question survey sent to residents in 2017 was the only attempt to engage with the community as a whole. The survey garnered a 7.6 per cent response rate.

MATTHEW TSO/STUFF The $8 million Naenae Community Hub - which is scheduled for completion between 2020 and 2021, will be built on the site of the existing Naenae Community Hall.

The association wanted the council to pause development and review its processes.

READ MORE:

* Multi-purpose community hub for Naenae to be built by 2020

* Naenae has special place in NZ urbanism

* Players and administrators heap praise on Lower Hutt's new bowls centre

Mitchell said most residents agreed a hub had the potential to be a good thing for the community but the association wanted Naenae residents to be more involved in its design.

"We see it as a once-in-a lifetime project for Naenae. We just want the best community hub for the community."

It is envisioned the hub, which was approved in the 2018 Long Term Plan, will include spaces for recreation and sports, meeting rooms a library and the Naenae Clubhouse.

Chris Norton, a trustee of community advocacy group Team Naenae Trust, said there had been a lack of "rich conversation" between the council and community. It felt as though the hub was being "imposed" on the community.

"It's well-intentioned but there's a lack of holistic thinking."

He was concerned proposed hubs in other communities could be foisted on residents without the council first listening to and considering their needs and wants.

Both the trust and residents association were concerned about the lack of integration between the hub and the Hillary Court shopping area.

The council's plans are to demolish the Naenae Community Hall on Everest Ave to make way for the hub and the library at Hillary Court - Naenae's main shopping area - would be integrated with the hub.

Mitchell said the library was the "beating heart" of the Hillary Court and attracted foot traffic for local businesses. Integrating it with the hub would likely result in fewer people walking through the already struggling shopping area.

Some residents were upset the hall would be demolished and Mitchell said residents should have been given a range of choices including the option of upgrading or utilising the hall.

Council City and Community Services general manager Matt Reid rejected the notion the engagement had been inadequate. As well as the survey, he said the council visited businesses, had displays in the library and attended events to obtain a range of views.

The council was in the process of tendering for architects and builders and there would be "significant cost implications" if they were to delay this phase to re-examine the process.

Mayor Ray Wallace and council officers attended a recent meeting hosted by the Residents' Association. Following feedback at that meeting they had agreed to look over the rationale to locate the hub on Everest Ave.