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| September 2002 |
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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. |
