Application For Factory Refused

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30783, 22 June 1965, Page 16

Application For Factory Refused

Permission to establish a factory for the manufacture of concrete products, and engineering workshops, on the Main North road near the Waimakariri bridge—sought by Mr R. A. Burnett, of Ashburton—was refused by the Waimairi County Council last evening. Mr Burnett sought a conditional use of the land—zoned as rural—but Cr. A. A. Adcock, in whose riding the area lies, said that ribbon development on the Main North road should not be encouraged. “The Main North road is not suitable for the establishment of industry having direct access to the road itself,” said Cr. Adcock. He moved that the application be declined. Cr. W. E. Cassidy seconded the motion, which was carried without further discussion.

Cr. Adcock also spoke against the establishment of a sawmill in Spencerville road (running from Chaneys corner to Lower Styx road). This, he said, was another example of the burden the Christchurch City Council’s plantations were becoming to the county. Spencerville road would not stand the heavy traffic of timber lorries—"and the ratepayers won’t stand it, either,” Cr. Adcock said.

Permission to erect the saw mill, as a conditional use

in a rural zone, was sought by Messrs H. P., J., and T. P. McGloin. They proposed siting it on a property they own between Spencerville road and Nalders road.

Cr. Adcock said that, as the riding member, he was not very happy about the proposal. Spencerville road was to be sealed, but the council would be faced with a much higher “class” of-work if the road was to cope with timber lorries.

Cr. W. E. Cassidy: Why don’t you move it be declined? Cr. Adcock said that that was his inclination—but there was to be a meeting with the City Council about the plantations in the area, and some difficulties might be resolved by it. It would be better, therefore, to refer the proposals back to the council’s town-planning committee. Direction Sign

A trial period of 12 months for the placement of a fingerpost sign at the corner of Memorial avenue and Roydvale avenue, directing traffic to the Russley Hotel, was far too long, said Cr. C. B. Baker. What would be the position about complaints? “We have had complaints about much smaller signs than this will be,” he said. “People have nice homes round there, and they might not like the sign.”

The Automobile Association (Canterbury) bad agreed to erect a sign at the corner if permitted, as motorists arriving in Christchurch were having difficulty in finding the Russley Hotel, the council was

informed, and the finance committee had approved a directional finger-post for a trial period of 12 months, subject to the size and location of the sign meeting the county engineer’s satisfaction.

If there were complaints, asked Cr. Baker, would the council be prepared to dismantle the sign, or would it have to remain up for 12 months?

Cr. O. C. Mitchell (actingchairman) said that the council would look at it at the time. After further discussion, the council agreed that the trial period be reduced to six months, with South Pacific Hotels, Ltd., the owner of the Russley Hotel, to have the right of re-application for a further trial period.

Letter To Chairman.—Cr. Mitchell presided in the absence of the county chairman, Mr J. I. Colligan, who entered hospital yesterday. The council decided to write to Mr Colligan wishing him a quick recovery.

Drains.—The Christchurch Drainage Board will be asked a second time to assume responsibility for drains in Styx Mill road, Highstead road, and Sawyers Arms road. The Drainage board could not agree to amend conditions it had laid down for taking over the drains, said a letter to the council. It was decided to reply saying that another local authority in the metropolitan area had recently passed over responsibility for drains in its area, without having had to fulfil conditions before acceptance by the board.