New life for Lichfield lanes

A new project is set to continue the ongoing commercial revitalisation of Christchurch’s central city, south-east of Cathedral Square.

The aim is to refurbish and enhance the Lichfield lanes area, which is bounded by Lichfield, Madras, Tuam and High streets, and includes Poplar and Ash streets.

Property owners in the area have begun working together to develop a vision for the project, called Lichfield Lanes.

The Christchurch City Council and the Mayoral Forum are also supporting the project as part of the Council’s Central City Revitalisation Strategy.

The Lichfield Lanes project will enhance the quirky nature of the area by capitalising on its European-like narrow streets. The area has great links to High Street. It is also close to the soon-to-be- developed residential project on the Turners & Growers site (on the next block to the east: bounded by Lichfield, Barbadoes, Tuam and Madras streets).

The B.B.S Group of companies has already purchased a number of properties in the Lichfield lanes area, and work to improve this area is under way.

The vision for the project has been developed by B.B.S utilising a study under taken by architect Ian Athfield in 1997-8, and includes plans for more public space.

The vision was unveiled to local business people and building owners by B.B.S, the Council and Athfield Architects recently.

Although change is always unsettling the vision proposed was well received and many felt it would ultimately see this area adding to the revitalisation work already undertaken nearby in High Street.