INDUSTRIES AND HOMES

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27702, 5 July 1955, Page 3

INDUSTRIES AND HOMES

DEBATE AT MEETING OF RESIDENTS LINWOOD-PHILLIPSTOWN ASSOCIATION There were complaints at the intrusion of industry into residential areas, and questions on the powers of the City Council to enforce zoning at a meeting of the Linwood-Phillipstown Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association last evening. Almost all of the 27 members there spoke on the issues and it was finally decided that Mr J. Mathison, M.P., should be invited to speak at the next meeting on the question of city zoning and the powers of the council. The discussion began when a letter from Mrs W. J. Kitchener complaining of industries near her home was received. She said that her complaint was of the noise from the buildings and yard opposite her home in Short street. She had been in touch with local bodies during 18 months and had letters from them and a member of Parliament saying that the firm had purchased another property and was moving. That was more than 12 months ago but there was still the same noise. The industry should be in an industrial area. There was a bottle yard which created an eyesore for a resident further along the street. Properties for industry were advertised for sale, she said. A petition had been signed by residents in the street to have the industries moved, and she was not the only one objecting, said Mrs Kitchener in the letter. “I would like you to be round there while they are unloading those trucks ... I have had photographs taken and I am going to take the matter to Wellington if I do not get satisfaction,’’ said Mrs Kitchener. She had a solicitor and would take the matter up. she said. The meeting then debated what action should be taken on the letter. Council’s Power? The council did not have much power over established industries, said the chairman, Mr P. T. Hall. Residents Affiliated was working on this.. A letter should be forwarded to the council inquiring into the position. Mrs Kitchener said she was not complaining about the bottle yard. “There is no earthly sense in going to the City Council because you will get no satisfaction,’’ said Mrs M. Marks. The meeting agreed that the complaint in the letter should be referred to both the council and Residents Affiliated. Mrs R. Woodhouse displayed a map showing town-planning zones in the area, and a photograph from “The Press’’ of the gasworks as seen from the Waltham overhead bridge taken by Martin Barriball. “That’s industry,” she said.

She pointed to areas on the map which she said were zoned for light industry and only had one or two industries in them. The rest was residential. In one block, 17 residents were living in rented houses; the rest owned their homes. “It makes no difference to your health whether you own your house or not.” said a member. “What is light industry?” another member asked. “They class sandblasting as a light industry,” said Mrs Woodhouse. Mr D. Lee said the Manufacturers’ Association stood revealed as a pressure group to establish manufacturers in residential areas. He did not blame them, he said. It was an easy way to do it. If a councillor explained the situation the association would know what action to take. Mrs Kitchener said she knew that in residential areas permits for industry had been refused. It was then agreed to invite Mr Mathison as a guest speaker at the next meeting of the association. The secretary (Mrs D. M. Hall) reported that 30 new members had joined the association, bringing its membership to 55.