Withells Road school site

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32588, 23 April 1971, Page 8

Withells Road school site

For several years the construction of an intermediate school in the Avonhead area has been represented as urgent The siting of the school west of Withells Road continues to be debated. The Canterbury Education Board would prefer to build the school on land part of which is outside the urban fence. The Government could overrule the local zoning requirements to permit the use of this land, already owned by the State; but such a course is contrary to its general policy. Unless there are compelling reasons the urban fence should not be altered; nor should a special departure from the approved use of land be allowed. The Town and Country Planning Appeal Board has upheld this view, not only at Avonhead but also—several years ago—at Boon Hay. where a similar question arose over the siting of a school.

Other, more expensive, land could be bought for the Avonhead school. But the extra cost, far from being a compelling reason for breaching the zoning rules, would probably be small by comparison with the cost to the community of opening the way to further development beyond the urban fence. The very presence of the school would certainly increase pressure for such development The proximity of the airport is an additional reason for standing firmly against extending the urban area here. The interest that the Education Board has shown in getting the best deal for its money is commendable; but all the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal and all the implications of establishing a precedent must be weighed. The argument has gone on long enough; and no overwhelming evidence in favour of breaching the urban fence, or of altering it, has been produced. The time has now come to acquire another site and to build the school.