Work On Town-Planning Schemes

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31187, 11 October 1966, Page 1

Work On Town-Planning Schemes

Ail the Christchurch territorial local bodies either have operative town - planning schemes, or are in the final stages of introducing them. They will not be affected by the Town and Country Planning Amendment Act provision requiring local bodies to complete their schemes by 1970, or have it done for them by the Ministry of Works. The City Council, Ricearton Borough Council and Waimairi County Council have operative schemes. The Heathcote and Paparua county schemes are nearly ready to be published, and those of Lyttelton borough and Halswell county are in the final preparatory stages. Publication of a scheme means that details hitherto undisclosed are open for public inspection and objection. When objections have been dealt with, the finally-

approved scheme becomes operative. Some councillors say it is better to operate an undisclosed scheme, because it is easier to change the rules. They say it is more flexible and lacks the time-consuming procedures of a disclosed, operative scheme. A council officer said that few councils had full-time planning advisers. A consultant could give a good idea what was involved in planning, but could not always give continuity of service.

“Too many councillors reMrd town-planning as something thrust upon them by Act of Parliament rather than as an opportunity to do some worth-while planning,” he said.

Councillors who found themselves on town-planning committees would soon realise what a fiddling, laborious job they had. It was the hardest work on the council, full of pitfalls and stumblingblocks.

County clerks whose councils are working on undisclosed schemes warned the public to consult the council before they buy property. “All the information is readily available,” said one clerk. “It is most advisable for people to seek advice be-

fore they buy a property, for they may otherwise run foul of town-planning provisions. “You should hear some of the stories we get from people who say they have been told certain things by land salesmen. I am afraid some of these salesmen are unscrupulous, and lead people astray.” The City Council is preparing its town-planning scheme by sections and so far has produced only the various land use zonings and the ordinances that go with them. The second stage will deal with communications.

“Probably, before the council discloses the second stage, there will be a complete revision of the present slaphappy zoning,” said one observer. “The council now has a better understanding of zoning problems, qualified staff, and more experience of town-planning detail.” Administrative difficulties had arisen with the Riccarton borough scheme, which became operative from February 28, 1964, said the Town Clerk (Mr R. Sarjeant). “Although a review is due five years from that date, the council feels it would be desirable to change the residential zoning provisions at an earlier stage. “As things are, our resi-

dential zoning allows a predominant use of-one house or two flats to an allotment. There is a desire to have higher-density building, and many want to build more than two flat units. “As this would be a conditional use, it involves calling for objections, with consequent delays. We hope to re-zone areas so that more than two flats can be built on a section without these formalities.” When the council came to review its scheme, said Mr Sarjeant, notice would have to be taken of the effects of the city’s master traffic plan. Objections to the Heathcote County Council’s scheme closed on August 30, and 14 private objections and others from the Regional Planning Authority will be dealt with by the council on October 31 and November 1 and 3. “Once the objections are disposed of, the scheme will be operative,” said the county chairman (Mr C. D. Le Comte). “It took seven or eight months to get ministerial approval, and we had very good co-operation from the Ministry of Works.” Lyttelton borough’s scheme is still undisclosed, but it is nearing the stage where it can be open for public inspection.

The Clerk (Mr J. Thompson) said that the council had received ministerial approval of its scheme, but there were amendments that the council felt should be made. When these had been settled, the scheme would be available for public inspection. Halswell county’s scheme had been in preparation for two years, and the council was now having a series of meetings with its consultant (Miss N. Northcroft) to approve of various stages, said the Clerk (Mrs R. Ballintine). The county’s rapid residential expansion had made it essential for the council to have control, she said. It is hoped to have the preliminaries completed so that the scheme can be submitted for ministerial approval before December 31.

It took two years for the Paparua county scheme to receive the approval of the Ministry of Works, said the Clerk (Mr A. Kelly). There had been delays because of departmental requirements, especially in connexion with limited access roading. “The council has now complied with all requirements, and is at an advanced stage,” said Mr Kelly. “The scheme should be disclosed in the near future."