Boiler Shop Extensions Opposed At Hearing

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30971, 29 January 1966, Page 17

Boiler Shop Extensions Opposed At Hearing

Objections were made by five residents and the Christchurch Regional Planning Authority when an engineering firm, F. W. Matthews, Ltd., sought permission from the Waimairi County Council yesterday to extend its boilershop at 201 Marshland road.

The application was of five for conditional use permits under the council’s town planning scheme, heard in public by Crs R. C. Neville (chairman), O. C. Mitchell, R. C. Harrow, and D. B. Rich, members of the town-plan-ning committee. In each case, it was stated, the committee would make recommendations to the next full meeting of the council.

Mr B. S. McLaughlin, for the company, said application had been made originally for the complete rezoning of the factory land from rural to industrial, and for permission to extend the factory. It had been held legally not possible to rezone, so the application now was solely for the extension. The firm wished to extend to the east with a 130 ft by 120 ft addition to the factory, with a smaller addition to the north. While the smaller proposal would not affect residential development, there were houses to the south and east.

The factory had been established 10 years on the site. In July, after hearing objections, the council had refused the application. But in August, 1964, the council had agreed to extensions which were in exactly the same style as those now proposed. The firm was engaged on work for the Aviemore hydroelectric scheme and the Timaru all-weather loading plant, said Mr McLaughlin. Delays would mean added cost to the firm, and if it were denied the right to expand, it would stultify the business, which might well have to move elsewhere. To a question from Cr. Rich, Mr McLaughlin said the company had been given to understand by the council that it would be allowed to develop. Financially, it would be a tremendous effort to go elsewhere, almost out of the question. The Regional Planning Authority’s direct or (Mr C. B. Millar) said that if the council imposed conditions which assured that the present operation of the factory could not lead to any further extension of industrial use, or change the character of the

area, the authority would have no objection. Messrs S. W. Cunningham, A. C. Brownie, W. R. Ayers, R. E. Yates and M. J. Willi's, all of Briggs road, gave evidence. supporting claims of excessive noise from the plant, and of f e depreciation of property values. “The original permit was for a machine, shop only, but this has grown and grown, and has got to be stopped somewhere,” said Mr Brownie. “We have got to pay rates and find quite a few extra pounds to fight for our rights.” Doctors’ Rooms Dr. B. A. Ford sought a departure to enable a surgery to be added to his home at 17 Braithwaite street, Fendalton, for use by himself for occasional emergency consultations, and by his wife, also a doctor, for from nine to 12 consultations a week. Mr R. G. Blunt, who appeared for Messrs J. W. Muir, J. S. Nelson, F. J. N. McKie, F. Taylor, G. Dixon, and J. Shanahan, residents of the street, and Mr Nelson, in evidence, said they feared that the narrow cul-de-sac would become congested with traffic, and its quietness spoilt. Corner Dairy Blogg Property Developments sought a departure from residential zoning to allow construction of a corner dairy on the Woodbury street extension, Avonhead. Mr F. S. Blogg, a principal of the company, and a councillor, was not present.

For the applicant, Mr R. H. Stewart said that a new subdivision would give 70 residential lots in the first stage. It would be in the public interest to have a shop to sell perishable goods. The council’s planning officer (Mr M. Parker) said council policy was to have shopping centres roughly at mile intervals, with utility shops half a mile apart. The proposed shop would qualify. Written objections were lodged by Mr J. Tabah, owner of a shop at the corner of Cutts and Yaldhurst roads; from Mr G. S. Kappelle, a resident, who maintained there were enough shops; and from Mr R. A.

Sharplin, owner of a food shop at Cutts road. House Factory

The Regional Authority objected to application for conditional use by Alan Pitt, Ltd., of land in Dickey’s road, near the Belfast Hotel, for precutting and prefabricating houses.

For the Authority, Mr Miller said the proposal was contrary to the terms of the council’s planning scheme. Such sporadic development should be stopped. The council had set aside an entirely suitable area for such purposes.

“The proposal could lead to an undesirable extension of urban development,” he said. “It is important in townplanning to anticipate and draw the line at the earliest possible opportunity.” Adjourned

An application by Mr F. R. Cullen for permission to build a three-unit dwelling at the corner of Reading and Kiltie streets, Middleton, was adjourned, because of Mr Cullen’s illness.