The Waitemata Local Board's holding back on signing off plans to develop the Albert Park tunnels in Auckland.

The project's developer Bill Reid said he had secured what he described as unofficial approval from the board at a meeting this week.

But Local Board chair Pippa Coom says while the meeting was a positive one, there's still a fair few steps that need to be taken.

"We do have responsibility for Albert Park, so we will be watching this very carefully and making sure that it goes through the proper processes and there is the opportunity for public consultation."

Coom says it's not clear how long that process could take.