Restaurant proposal draws 15 objections

Press, 3 February 1987, Page 5

Restaurant proposal draws 15 objections

A restaurant and bar extension to “The Towers” motels drew 15 objections when it came before the town-planning committee of the Riccarton Borough Council yesterday. The proposed extension to the motels, at the corner of Deans Avenue and Kilmarnock Street, would be two storeys high and include a kitchen and staff rooms. Up to 40 people could be seated in the restaurant.

Residents objected to the “further erosion” of the residential area and car-parking facilities. They said the extension

was not permitted under the District Scheme. Mr John Madigan, who lived next to the motels, said the restaurant would be less than six metres from his house.

With up to 40 people dining and drinking there was bound to be excessive noise, he said. Cooking odours could also reach his house. Building such a facility next to a private property would “make living intolerable.”

A licensed restaurant was already available across the road at the Chateau Regency. Another in the area was not warranted, he said.

The extension would darken the living area of his house and shadow his front lawn, Mr Madigan said.

Mr Nigel Taylor said that tour buses which called at the motels already had difficulty turning in the car-parking area. The extension would reduce the parking area and make it more difficult for the buses.

Counsel for Regency Park Motels, Mr John Milligan, said the restuarant and bar would be run under a tourist house licence. This would limit patrons to people staying at the motels and their

guests. The manager of the motels, Mr Christopher Mitchell, said he was under pressure by tour operators to provide accommodation with restaurant and bar facilities. He produced letters from major tour companies supporting the application. Most guests arrived aboard buses. Few travelled there by car, he said.

There would be no dance floor or live entertainment in the restaurant because he did not want to create a noise nuisance for the motel guests.

The committee reserved decision.