Mall 'a wasteland’

Press, 12 May 1981, Page 6

Mall 'a wasteland’

Riccarton Mall had the appearance of a concrete and asphalt wasteland, Cr A. B. Harman told the town planning committee of the Riccarton Borough Council yesterday. More landscaping was needed to improve the appearance of the mall when viewed from Riccarton Road, he said. Members of the committee had been invited to make written submissions on the landscaping of the mall for consideration at the committee’s meeting in June. In his submissions Cr Harman said that there was already landscapng round the perimeter of the mall as well as some shrubs in concrete tubs in the parking area. When viewed from Division Street the mall appeared attractive and the landscaping was, or would become, adequate. He was concerned with the

r ■ general appearance of the mall from Riccarton Road. Some people were put off by this and chose to shop elsewhere. Cr Harman suggested that a large tree be planted on the Riccarton Road frontage,, where the building is set well back from the road. The planting of creepers on parts of the building would give it a "less harsh” appearance, he said. He also suggested that the concrete tubs in the parking area be replaced by four medium sizetrees, each surrounded by a small plot of garden and shrubs. “Shrubs and small trees that grow only 10ft high are just not enough in some cases,” he said. “We need bigger trees to help soften the appearance.” He recognised that the council might not have the power to enforce a “more appealing” . landscaping of the mall. t ■

The committee will consider Cr Harman’s submissions, as well as any other submitted, at its next meeting.

The committee approved in principle plans by the Crippled Children Society to develop a hydrotherapy pool in Kilmarnock Street.

The covered, heated pool will be 9m by 4.8 m and will have space around it for wheelchairs. It will be built on two residential sections owned by the society. The Mayor of Riccarton (Mr R. W. J. Harrington) was concerned that there were several residential properties between the proposed pool site and the society’s offices in Kilmarnock Street.

He said that the pool would not detract from the amenities of the area but asked that residents in the immediate area be notified of the society’s intention to. built the pool