TOWN PLANNING IN SYDENHAM

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27639, 21 April 1955, Page 11

TOWN PLANNING IN SYDENHAM

RESIDENTS PROTEST AT INDUSTRIES

Town planning in Christchurch was criticised at the first meeting of the newly-formed Sydenham Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association. Speakers protested at what was called “industrial infiltration” in the suburb, and the vice-president, Mr G. Lawrence, said: “People are being pushed out of their houses, and big industry is taking over. The whole thing is hay-

The meeting was held in the Sydenham School, and residents were shown a plan of the Sydenham area bounded by Brougham street, Waltham road, and Moorhouse avenue, on which industrial premises were marked in red. The heading, "Town Planning," was replaced by the words, “Industrial Infiltration,” and some areas were marked “objectionable.” Mr Lawrence, in describing the industries in Sydenham, said that a bituminous roofing factory was close to the Sydenham School. The school roll had dropped since the area had been rezoned to 450. The capacity accommodation was 800, and at present the school had four empty classrooms. Walls of houses were being taken out, machines were being installed and they were being called factories. Mr Lawrence pointed to two factory premises on the map in an area zoned residential. Officers elected wpre:—

Chairman, Mr F. I. Leigh; vicepresident, Mr G. Lawrence; secretary, Miss M. Jory; treasurer, Mr J. V. Jamieson; executive committee, Mes» dames V. Hill, M. Hammond, G. Alexander, V. Jackson, Mr L. Ward.