Urban fence limit urged

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33929, 23 August 1975, Page 20

Urban fence limit urged

The Government was a>ked by the VVaimairi County Council at its meeting on Thursday evening to establish a statutory limit to the urban fence. It was also decided to point out to the Minister of Civil Aviation (Dr Finlay) the need for the protection of Christchurch Internationa! Airport from encroachment bv buildings ’ The council asked its staff to bring down proposals for firmer control of development near the airport, and it was agreed to consult the Airport Authority on the recommendations in a recent report on noise effects round the airport and its flight paths The council agreed that there was a need for further

development of the central city, and will ask the Canterbury Regional Planning Authority to take up with the Government the need to stop urban sprawl. It was suggested that the Canterbury Regional Planning Authority should try to get a common urban fence and airport control zoning for the three councils concerned, the Christchurch City Council and the Paparua and Wairnairi County councils. The decision arose from’ the effects of recent appeal decisions affecting the use of land near the airport. “It is time this council, the other councils and the Town and Country Planning Appeal Board got their priorities right and protect the airport instead of protecting the developer,” said Cr F. Chisholm. The parties should get together to discuss the issue, and particularly urban renewal to stop pressure on the urban fence, said Cr R. W. Skjellerup. The chairman (Mr D. B. Rich) referred to “a conflict: of policies.” The Appeal: Board had told the council to "tidy up” after the board had 1 allowed incursions into the rural zone. “I hope future decisions will be more realistic and in the public interest,” said Mr Rich. “The first priority for the Government is a review of town planning legislation, and oL the duties of the appeal boards and the way in) which they operate.”