Conditional Approval Of School Building Plan

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30804, 16 July 1965, Page 12

Conditional Approval Of School Building Plan

After hearing a report on objections from eight surrounding property-owners, the Waimairi County Council last night agreed to allow construction, on conditions, of additional buildings at the Middleton Grange school, Upper Riccarton. The committee reported that an application had been received from the Christian Schools’ Trust for permission to build a post-primary school adjacent to the primary school already on the site.

! The committee stated that submissions had been made to it by a solicitor, Mr G. G. Parry, representing the Middleton Grange authorities, who wanted to build a postprimary school next to the trust’s primary school bounded by Suva and Arthur streets. The distinctive feature of the primary school run by the trust was that the Christian faith was an integral part of the curriculum, and there were many parents who believed that children should be educated in such an environment. A school of this kind, said Mr Parry, would have fewer behaviour problems than other schools. The proposed buildings were modern and attractive. After dealing with the matters raised by obiectors, Mr Parry said that schools must, of necessity, be in residential areas, and were an inducement to closer settlement. There would not be more traffic, and noise would be restricted to short periods, an hour or two a day. Shadow cast by the building would be negligible, and proximity of the school would enhance residential values. If the land were denied

for school use, it would be subdivided for intensive housing, involving a public road between Arthur and Suva streets with more noise and traffic. Objections, the committee reported, had come from Messrs M. C. Sword, T. A. Anderson, A. H. and. J., C. Huggins. and M. W. Broomhail (ali of Arthur street), from Lieutenant-Colonel R. Tinker (Hanson’s lane) and Messrs D. J. and J. A. Donald. of Suva street. . Their objections were,- in general, that the proposed school would add to the noise, cut off sun; impair privacy, reduce valuations and alter attractive aspects of their properties. The committee was told that the proposed two-storey building would be 26ft high. Cr. A. E. Wagner said that since the meeting, he and the chairman (Cr. O. C. Mitchell) had inspected the site, and they felt that the basic plan

could be approved subject to [ Conditions. They now recommended approval, subject to adequate off-street parking being provided on the school grounds, that the plans be approved by the council, that entrances be maintained in a tidy condition, that the school take steps to stop water ponding on neighbouring properties, and that the two-storey section of the proposed library be in line with the rest of the block, the effect being to keep it back 20ft from neighbours. Cr .Wagner moved that use[ be allowed on these condi-[ tions. “Will the objectors be told i of the new plan?” Cr R. C.j Harrow asked. [ Cr. Mitchell: Yes. Cr. Wagner said he thought it was a reasonable compromise. The council could hear a lot of objections, but it did; not have to uphold them. The compromise should not unduly upset people. The motion was carried.