APPEAL ON PETROL STATION FAILS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30687, 1 March 1965, Page 14

APPEAL ON PETROL STATION FAILS

The Town and Country Planning Appeal Board has dismissed an appeal by Straven Services, Ltd., against the Waimairi County CouncU’s refusal to permit the erection of a petrol and lubrication service station on adjoining properties at 146 Straven road and 107 Fendalton road. The board consisted of Messrs J. W. Kealy, S.M. (chairman), C. H. Taylor, W. F. McArthur, and E. Whittleston. The board said that two petrol pumps were already on the land, and in respect of them the company had “existing use” rights. A business of the type proposed constituted a “conditional use” in the relevant zone, but the council contended that the proposed site was unsuitable for development as a service station because of its closeness to an increasingly business traffic intersection. The council’s contention was supported by evidence given by a senior traffic officer (Mr A. Goldsmith) and by Mr M. Douglass, regional traffic enginer of the Regional Planning Authority. On the basis of this evidence (which was accepted) the board considered the company had

failed to satisfy it that the council’s decision was wrong. The board also granted an application by Bailey’s Bakery, Ltd., for permission to use premises at 327-329 Ferry road as a bakery. In its decision the board said the premises had been used until recently as a bakehouse, but “existing use” rights had now been lost, and permission was sought to use them as a bakery again. The buildings were in a residential zone but were quite unsuited to residential use. The board said that the application was supported, subject to conditions, by the Christchurch City Council. Objections raised by certain neighbouring residents could fairly be described as of a more or less token nature. Conditions imposed by the board were: that the building be found to be structurally sound; that any nuisance arising from its use be adequately controlled; that any noise be reduced to a minimum; that any new boiler, furnace or plant installed be approved by the City Council; and that the land in front be laid out, planted, and maintained to the approval of the director of parks, in driveways, lawns, and gardens.