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Christchurch City Scene
September 2002

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Have your say on Latimer Square


Have your say on Latimer Square

The Council is asking the public to consider options to make Latimer Square a lively, safe and attractive place for everyone to enjoy.

Public consultation on the issue will continue throughout September and October. On Page 5 there is a Freepost feedback form for people who want to let the Council know what they think about the square.

The local community and the Christchurch City Council agree that something must be done to improve the appearance and image of the square. However, there is still discussion over the best way to enhance it in keeping with the values and objectives for the area.

Should the square be left in two halves, with Worcester Street cutting through the middle, or rejoined to make one large space like Cranmer Square by closing Worcester Street? Or should Worcester Street be narrowed, allowing traffic to continue through the park but improving pedestrian links and recreational opportunities?

Latimer Square is listed as a protected place in the City Plan, mirroring Cranmer Square in the original layout of Christchurch. Although it was designed as a single, rectangular green, Latimer Square was split in two to accommodate the early tramline.

Flanked by mature trees and with a number of historic buildings facing onto it, the square continues to be a key inner-city green space, as well as the principal park for eastside workers and residents of the Latimer neighbourhood. However, it has lost its original status as a prime destination for civic and community events, and essentially has become a place to pass through or drive and park around.

Over the past few decades Latimer Square has declined, and, as a result, become under-utilised. The park is tired-looking. It needs to be re-levelled and resown, the paths are broken and many of the trees are nearing the end of their lives. On Latimer Square West, the old-style deep gutter is due for replacement.

Meanwhile, improvements have been made to Worcester Street between Cathedral Square and Latimer Square, narrowing the carriageway to 6m.

When the consultation period ends, the submissions will be collated independently. The City Council will then take these into account in making a decision. After that, a new plan for the park will be drawn up. The community may be asked for further comment at that stage.

Alterations to the shape or size of Latimer Square and any work within 10m of notable protected trees would require resource consent. Closure of Worcester Street would involve a formal road-closing procedure and the presentation of submissions at a hearing.

This project will be completed over several years, depending on budget.

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