OBJECTION TO USE OF RURAL LAND

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31585, 24 January 1968, Page 12

OBJECTION TO USE OF RURAL LAND

The application could not be granted because the use would be contrary to the uses permitted in a rural zone, said the Christchurch Regional Planning Authority’s planning officer (Mr K. Tyler), when Burnett Industries (North Canterbury), Ltd, sought a specified departure at a Waimairi County Council town-planning hearing yesterday.

The company, for which Mr K. N. Hampton appeared, sought a specified departure consent to allow it to use almost 6 acres at 1220 Main North Road, Chaneys, as a contractor’s yard. Mr Tyler said that under the regional planning scheme, the only uses to which the land in question could be put were those appropriate to farming, forestry or quarrying. The area, he said, had been zoned by the authority for conditional rural uses on a limited basis. The application was not an appropriate one, and would, if granted, create a precedent that could lead to “just another industrial site having an urban character.” Mr R. M. Parker, the council’s planning officer, said the company started to develop the site in May, 1965, and had established the yard without approval. “The company has been fully aware of the approval required, but has chosen to press on regardless,” said Mr Parker. “In March, 1966, the council agreed to the temporary use of the land, subject to the company entering into a bond of £lOOO. The company did not reply to the council’s letter, and after discussions, the application for a specified departure was lodged with the council.”

For the company, a registered surveyor, Mr I. D. Dalton, said that the regional authority planned the development of the area in three stages. Had the Ministry of Works not had land available west of

the Main North Road after the construction of the motorway, the second stage, comprising land between the Main North Road and the railway, and on which the yard was located, would have been developed as stage one. He said that the company’s application conformed to longterm plans for the land, and the North Canterbury Catchment Board, which owned the land, was agreeable to lease Burnetts another 10 acres. Mr Dalton explained plans for internal roading, and for possible railway sidings. The company’s manager, Mr J. Monopoly, said that the yard site would not be used for manufacturing. If manufacturing were contemplated on the 10 acres, it would be the subject of an application to the council. Objection Messrs H. E. and A. N. Chaney (Mr D. J. Clark) objected to a condition fixed by the council in approving of their plans to rebuild a garage and service station at 752 Main North Road, Belfast, requiring them to dedicate, form and seal a 10ft right-of-way along their northern boundary. To do so, said Mr Clark, would require 1320 square feet of the applicants’ land, and take one-tenth of their frontage. It would be an unwarranted encroachment on the applicants’ title to expect them to provide access to benefit Mr R. D. Molyneaux, who owned the shops to the north. On both applications, said the committee chairman (Cr R. C. Neville), a recommendation would be made to the council.