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3 December 1999 |
Councillor May Get Handcuffs
Christchurch City Council member Sue Wells says she might be asking another councillor for some handcuffs.
Several weeks ago Cr Carole Anderton said she would handcuff herself to trees in Barrington Park, Spreydon, rather than allow them to be cut down to make way for a new library.
Yesterday, at a meeting of the environment committee, Cr Wells said: "I might have to borrow Carole Anderton’s handcuffs."
The reason is the threat to demolish the Samoan Congregational Church at the corner of Colombo Street and Brougham Street in Spreydon.
Cr Wells said its loss would be significant in that part of the city.
The church was built in 1878 and was recently sold by the Samoan Church. The council’s senior heritage planner, Jenny May, said it was a group two building and an application to demolish it was expected soon.
"The owner has suggested that the council consider acquisition in order to retain it," she said.
Cr Wells said there was always a risk that buyers would threaten the council with demolition unless the council bought it.
She wanted to know what was being done to save it. Ms May said informal discussions were being held but the owner was not known at present.
The committee chairwoman, Cr Anna Crighton, said the local Heritage Trust had its money tied up in another project but she thought a heritage bank, similar to those overseas, should be established. It bought historic buildings and mothballed them until a viable economic use was found for them.
Cr Pat Harrow wanted more money set aside for the preservation of buildings because he said "once they have gone they have gone for good."