Subdivision Objections Fail

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32396, 8 September 1970, Page 14

Subdivision Objections Fail

Objections to a variat tion in the Paparua 1 County district scheme s l limiting the subdivision ' of rural land to a mini- ? mum area of 20 acres, bi instead of the previous j limit of 10 acres, were a disallowed by the Papar rua County Council at 0 its meeting last evening, it r The objections all asked the ’’ council to reconsider its own variation to the scheme, and n were heard before a sub-com-mittee of the council’s town ® planning committee on Augj ust 18 and 27. , r Thirty-five objections were 5_ heard, mainly from persons holding parcels of land varyI_ ing in size from 11 acres to ]- 184. Most claimed that the s J best economic use of the land it I could be made if it were subv I divided into units of about gjlO acres for intensive use—it J market gardening, orchards n ! or poultry or pig farms. ! Some submissions from in I objectors drew attention tc rsjthe establishment of a food r-iprocessing plant at Prebble id torr"which would make lane in | in the area sought after ir rd smaller units for vegetable

and fruit growing. One objector said that the variation was “undemocratic,” and that no local body should be able to dictate to property owners what to do with property. The Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors also objected that zoning “semi desert” areas into 20 acre blocks -would make them useless for farming. , The objections were opposed by the Christchurch ißegional Planning Authority, , which said that control of sub*; [division would restrain urban[ [sprawl. [ The council was supported I I by the Christchurch Drainage [Board in its move to bring [the variation into force. The council agreed to the recommendation of its town planning committee that the objections be disallowed, and that the counter-objection of the Regional Planning Authority be sustained -on the ground that the council con- ! sidered it in the best public , interest that subdivisional standards in a rural zone I should provide for a mini- , mum area of 20 acres and a I minimum frontage of 10 . chains. i Sewerage.—lt was decided i that the possibility of Kenilnedy’s Bush Road being in-

eluded in the Halswell Hill area sewerage network be discussed with the Christchurch Drainage Board. The council had been told by the board that it was in no position to give a time when sewers could be installed in the area, as it was outside the board’s district. In any case, there were limitations to the capacity of the trunk system to the Bromley treatment works. Sports.—Asked their views on the council’s existing [policy on the administration land financing of sports [grounds in the county, the [Sockburn, Hornby, and Halswell county town committees and the rural district committee expressed general satisfaction. The council passed a motion endorsing the policy of the reserves committee, although Cr L. P. Mamon made some criticism. Stray Dogs.—The council will take a firm line with the problem of stray and wandering dogs. Dog control by-laws will be strictly policed, and dogs found at large will be impounded. Swimming Pool.—The council was informed that a grant of $13,000 towards the Halswell swimming pool had been provided by the Golden Kiwi Lottery Fund Distribution

Committee, provided the project is completed within 12 months. The council decided to call tenders for stage I of the complex, with alternative prices for both 50 metre and 33 metre pools. Tai Tapu Water.—A proposed water reticulation scheme for the Tai Tapu township will be referred to the finance committee for consideration of methods of finance. The Tai Tapu Residents’ Association advised that the .majority of residents would accept a cost of $2O to $25 a household. Building Permits.—Ninetytwo permits, of a total value of $398,390, were issued by the. council in August. In the first four months of the financial year, 395 permits worth $1,664,665 were issued, compared with 335 permits, of a value of $1,645,031, in the same period last year. Water Supply.—Charges for high pressure water supply connections would remain as at present, the council agreed after a recommendation to this effect by the finance committee. The council will apply to the Local Authorities Ixtans Board for a high pressure water supply extension loan of $24,000, to extend the present reticulation.