Industrial Area Beside School Site Opposed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30143, 29 May 1963, Page 14

Industrial Area Beside School Site Opposed

The Christchurch Postprimary Schools’ Council will protest against the Waimari County Council’s pro. oosal to have an area adjacent to the proposed Breens road high school site Zoned as industrial. The zoning proposal would affect land outside the present urban fence between Wairakei road and Harewood road. extending across Wooldridge road to Stanley’s road.

“It is our clear duty to object to this. We have done our duty in providing a site for a future school in a growing area, and now an industrial area is proposed immediately over our fence." said Professor G. Jobberns. who presided.

“This is a desirable area, presumably of good class, and now it is proposed to provide industrial employ-

ment opportunities for the new residents. Is that a desirable principle in the planning of the city? Why hamper the growth of a residential area in this way? ‘‘lf I was considering making my home in Christchurch's most de4lrable western suburbs, I would be encouraged in sinking my life savings there by knowing that there was definitely not a provision tor Industry there." Hub-committee’s View A sub-comtnittee report, presented by Dr. C. D. Ellyett, said that the county council’s proposal could be viewed only with dismay. "Large areas remain in the city of decaying inner suburbs which are transition, ing into industry,” he said. ‘ Sock burn and Woolston are already serviced by trains and are suitable for industrial road transport.” The fast growth of housing in the area meant that the Breens road site would almost certainly be th* next high school development in Christchurch, and it was already impossible to reserve a suitable site anywhere else nearby, he added. Mr W. M. Wright said that modern factories were usually built to tone in with their surroundings, and the urban spread of Christchurch presented quite a problem tor employees. Firms were already shifting into the outer suburbs for this reuon. “I imagine the Waimairi County Council will be keen to have the area zoned industrial, even if only for the financial returns, and will be loth to give it up,” said Mr Wright. "We are only concerned with the human values," said Professor Jobbema. The council resolved to protest against the proposal, particularly its relation to the area from Wooldridge road to the urban fence.

Objections to the proposed rezoning will be received until July, when they will be heard by the Town and Country Planning Appeal Board. In July, 1988, the board ruled that the areas within the urban fence rtxtuld be developed before industrial areas were zoned out. side it.