Next N.I.A. block south of Bealey Ave?

Press, 11 February 1983, Page 4

Next N.I.A. block south of Bealey Ave?

A block of residential land south of Bealey Avenue that has many vacant sections because of motorway designations now being dropped could become the third Neighbourhood Improvement Area in Christchurch. About 35 per cent of the area's houses are in fair or poor condition, the City Council’s town-planning committee was told yesterday. The area is bounded by Bealey Avenue. Barbadoes Street. Madras Street, and Salisbury Street. It contains 109 residential properties that have 129 living units. About half of the properties are occupied by their owners. Because there is so much vacant land, the potential for new housing or reserve de-

velopment is high. Many of the 30 vacant sites in the future N.I.A. block are owned by the Government because of motorway plans which have lapsed. The City Council has alreadv asked the Ministry of Works and Development not to sell land in the block until an improvement plan can be worked out. Another meeting with local residents will also be arranged to ensure their support before the Housing Corporation is asked to make the area a Neighbourhood Improvement Area. The city’s first N.I.A. - which qualifies for Government Community Housing Improvement Programme benefits — was established in

the Avon Loop in 1980. An N.I.A. lasts from three to five years. Charleston. a second N.1.A.. was established in Phillipstown, south of Ferrv Road, in 1981. Detailed information on the condition of all city houses is gradually being collected by City ’ Council health inspectors.' The proposed N.I.A. has an industrial zone to the west, across Madras Street, and a timber yard to the east, across Barbadoes Street. Nonconforming uses inside the block include a furniture factory. Cr A. G. James said the council should seriously consider establishing the’ next N.I.A. in Waltham or Sydenham.