OWHIRO Bay residents are angry the Wellington City Council has voted to sell two sections there.

The council will sell 178 and 180 Owhiro Bay Parade, currently a derelict car park, for housing development.

"The whole consultation process is a farce because the majority of Owhiro residents didn’t want to see the land sold but the council voted for it anyway," says Owhiro Bay Residents’ Association spokesperson Colleen Cox.

"The concerning thing to me is development of the area rather than the beautification of it.

"I’d much rather see the Marine Education Centre built there as opposed to Te Raekaihau Point," Cox says.

Another group opposed to the sale of the land, Southern Environmental Association, are angry the council ignored the results of community consultation which saw 95 percent support for retaining the land in public hands.

"It was acquired at the public’s request to create a public park. This is a community asset and should not be sold off into the hands of private developers. It should be retained in public ownership for the benefit of future generations," says SEA spokesperson Robert Logan.

Alick Shaw, Wellington’s deputy major, says something needed to be done to the land as it was being wasted as a car park.

"At present it contributes little or nothing to Owhiro Bay," Shaw says.

"The council’s first consideration was that the sale would not have any adverse effects on the environment. The escarpment will be protected, the bush will be protected," he says.

Shaw expects the land will be bought for the development of two high quality homes.

"I have no doubt people have already expressed interest," he says.

The sale of the land is expected to raise up to $1 million which could be used for reducing the council’s level of borrowings, says Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast.

"The majority view (at council) was that the sections could be sold and sensitively developed to provide money that could be used more appropriately, without adversely impacting on the South Coast or the fantastic upgrade planned for the area," she says.

The council plans to upgrade the Owhiro Bay entrance and car park area including a new shelter, toilets and picnic area.