Extension Of Machine Factory Approved

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31042, 23 April 1966, Page 23

Extension Of Machine Factory Approved

F. W. Matthews, Ltd., was granted permission by the Town and Country Planning Appeal Board on Thursday to extend its Marshland road engineering factory with a 130 ft by 120 ft building to the rear of the present buildings. The approval was given subject to conditions on noise-abatement measures.

The company's application was opposed by the Waimairi

County Council, for which Mr J. E. Ryan appeared, and by 117 nearby residents who were represented by Mr R. J. de Goldi.

Mr P. T. Mahon, with him Mr B. S. McLaughlin, appeared for the company. After hearing legal argument, the board, which comprised Mr J. W. Kealy, S.M., as chairman, and Messrs E. Somers and L. P. Blunt, held that a machinery workshop was a permitted conditional use in a rural area, and an extension of the premises could not properly be denied.

“But we are concerned with the conditions applicable to the extension,” Mr Kealy said, “and we are interested in any suggestions that will protect the residents against undue noise.”

Eric Denis Shipley, a physicist of the Canterbury University industrial development department, who gave evidence of noise-level tests, told Mr Mahon that he would not expect any marked increase in noise from the extension. Shrubs and trees had been found to be fairly disappointing in reducing noise, the witness replied to Mr Somers. To Mr Kealy, he said he thought it was possible to reduce the noise below the present level in spite of the extension. Residents’ Views Four residents of Briggs road and Clearbrook street gave evidence of increased noise in recent years. One of them, Detective-Sergeant E. J. Stackhouse, said he realised that the factory had to continue, but residents would welcome anything that could be done to lessen noise. G. A. Templeton, Ltd., appealed against the decision of the Heathcote County Council refusing an application to convert a house at 33 Colombo street into, three self-con-tained flats. Mr Ryan appeared for the appellant company, and Mr P. G. S. Penlington for the county council. The board allowed the appeal, imposing a condition that there be sealed parking spaces for at least three cars.

“Must Conform Forthwith” The engineering firm of F. W. Matthews, Ltd., in Marshland road will be informed by the Waimairi County Council that it is carrying out work at its factory contrary to the use permitted by the council and that it must conform forthwith. The council on Thursday evening declined to request from solicitors acting for residents of Briggs road and Clearbrook street that the council contribute to the cost of a noise level survey in the area. The town planning committee reported that it had authorised its own noise level survey. The county health inspector had told the committee that there had been complaints of excessive noise, sometimes up to 9.30 p.m. Investigation showed that the firm was prefabricating steelwork for the Aviemore hydro-electric scheme and the Timaru Harbour installations. The noise “could be described as irritating."

Another Launching.—The Soviet Union yesterday launched another satellite in its Cosmos programme of unmanned space research. —Moscow, April 21.

Art Sales. — Art treasures of the late Helena Rubinstein have brought record prices for sculpture, and a total of 1,445.200 dollars in the first of eight auctions.— New York, April 21.