Demolition plans concern trust

Press, 27 April 1989, Page 7

Demolition plans concern trust

By

DEBORAH MCPHERSON

Plans for the demolition of part of the historic Chief Post Office in Cathedral Square has drawn concern from the Historic Places Trust. A small part of the rear of the 110-year-old building will have to be demolished to make way for Telecom South’s new telecommunications centre. The old post office, which is owned by Telecom, has a Historic Places Trust B classification, which means it is worthy of preservation and liable to a preservation protection order if the trust felt it was necessary. Under the Christchurch City Council’s District Scheme, only the facade was protected, so no consent is needed to demolish the back of the building. The trust’s regional officer in Canterbury, Ms Pam Wilson, said the trust had “wary praise for the design of tthe new building, but was still concerned about the fact the whole building could not be retained.” Ms Wilson said she had been pleased to see, however, that the plans allowed for the roof section behind the clock tower to be retained. A trust conservation architect would be in Christchurch next week to study the proposals. Demolition of the interior of part of the rear of the post office was scheduled to begin on Monday, but the interior had been altered so much it was of less concern to the trust, said Ms Wilson. The trust and Telecom had been in close touch about the plans, said Telecom South’s managing director, Mr Lance McKechie. “If there is a problem we will not start until we have had discussions with the trust,” he said/