Objection to land use

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33967, 7 October 1975, Page 22

Objection to land use

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch (the Most Rev. B. P. Ashby) objects to Christchurch City Council’s plans to place prU vate open-space zoning designations on properties which have community value but are not owned by the public. His objections, despite recognised advantages of lower valuations and rates for such properties, were heard last evening by a council townplanning hearing committee. Because any land-use changes on such property would be approved or rejected by the City Council, {the objections said, such de- ! signations would be a serious {restriction upon the rights of [the property owner, the Bishop of the Diocese. The 1962 Christchurch district scheme contained private open-space designations including private schools, hospitals, recreational facilities, and some churches. But those designations were deleted during the 1968 scheme review because it was thought that designations implied future public purchase of the properties, and local bodies would be unsure which ones it might want to buy in the public interest.

Planners have reversed course, however, since the latest property revaluation by the Government. That revaluation did not take into account the likely permanence, or community value, of many private open spaces.

Resulting high valuations made the continued existence of some private uses questionable, even when the 50 per cent rates remission is taken intc account, according to a report by a town planning assistant, Mr K. G. Lawn. “Even if direct public access is not always available, these provide areas of open space, and a break from the visual monotony of some built-up areas,”' the report Isaid. Private open-space designations would ensure local body, and public, participation in proposals to alter land use. Chance for women Women will have a chance to rise to command ships of the P and O, the world’s largest shipping line: for the first time, three girls are among the 240 cadets P and [O will take on during the {coming year to train as navigating officers, and a [spokesman for the company) [said that there was no reason why the girls should not! eventually have their own commands.—London.