A plan to build an addition to the Christchurch Casino over Peterborough Street has received the go-ahead from the City Council.

This came after a stormy passage though committee stages in the past few weeks. Two committees had agreed with the idea but one turned it down. However, at the council meeting on Thursday the design submitted to the Council by architects Warren and Mahoney was agreed to in principle.

Councillor Denis O’Rourke continued his opposition to the scheme and said the 50m building would create a dingy tunnel and besides the extension was against council policy. Councillor Charles Manning supported him and said the building would create a hostile place. He said it would be detrimental to the residential environment close to the city.

Councillor Pat Harrow said over-buildings could be found in many cities of the world and they enhanced life. Councillor Ron Wright supported it, too, saying it represented progress for the city and the new building would complement others in the area.

He said the building of the Parkroyal Hotel, with the closing of Victoria Street, had been a marvellous thing and he said he was confident the new building would be a fine one.

Councillor Anna Crighton said Christchurch not only had the best collection of heritage buildings in New Zealand but a new casino building would add to the most exciting collection of contemporary buildings in New Zealand.