Protected trees removed

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34046, 9 January 1976, Page 10

Protected trees removed

Christchurch City Council preservation laws have failed to protect two listed walnut trees in Merivale, which 'were bulldozed out at a Ballins Industries liquor-, firm development site. ■

The destruction, according [to developers, was a misjtake. Senior town planners are not available this week ito say what action might be taken for the loss of the two trees, listed in category [C on the preservation list.

City laws say that such .trees should not be removed without council permission. [ Neighbours of the drive-in [liquor store development, some with protected trees of their own, are angry about this latest blow to the Merijvale centre’s “village atmos-: ! phere.” Earlier, they wanted to have Hardy Baird’s antique

shop preserved, but Ballins ( Industries said the building i had to go to make way for! the liquor store. The residents! have now lost another fight i before they had a chance to resist. Ballins Industries said that development would fit in [with the village atmosphere in Paoanui Road between Leinster and Aikmans Road. The liquor store area would be landscaped. The bigger spreading walnut tree had been torn out before the contract suoervisor for ; Demolition and Roading Contractors (N.Z.), Ltd, had had [a chance to warn the bulli dozer driver.