TOWN PLANNING.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19174, 3 December 1927, Page 17

TOWN PLANNING.

REGIONAL SCHEME. \ i ADDRESS BY MR R. B. HAMMOND, j The Regional Town Planning Commit- j tee set up for Christchurch and vicinity { met in the City Council Chamber last night. Mr R. B. Hammond, Director of Town Planning, was present, and he explained at some length the functions of the committee. There were present: The Mayor (Mr J K. Archer - ), who presided, Cr. G. Manning (chairman of the City Council's Town Planning Committee), the City Survevor (Mr A. R. Galbraith), the Town "Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville), Messrs R. M. Morten (Halswell County), R. Hepburn (Riccarton Borough), B. Riley (Heathcote County), E. A. M. Leaver (New Brighton Borough), H. Kitson (Waimairi County), G. Maginness (Paparua County), and H. H. Barnard (Lyttelton Borough). Committee's Functions. Mr Hammond said that when the regional scheme prepared by the committee was approved by the Town Planning Board the committee would have fulfilled its duty and autom: tically would go out of office. When the scheme was approved by the Board each local authority would bo called upon to carry out its particular portion of tho scheme. The regional scheme would deal more with outline proposals, chiofly with traffic streets (a proper system of communication for the whole region), and zoning proposals. He suggested that tho committee should take into consideration the formation of an agricultural belt just outsido the regional area in order to meet the position that might arise owing to thoso who wished to escapo town planning restrictions just going outside the boundary of the region. Even if onlv half a mile width such a belt would prevent the straggling growth now taking place. Proposed Town Planning Region. Mr Galbraith explained the map of the suggested town planning region, a copy of which together with a copy of tho aerial survey of the City was displayed. The regional map, Mr Galbraith said, was tentative, and suggestive only. It represented an area of 52 square miles, of which 11} square miles represented the area of the City. The City Council alroady had started the preparation of the civic survey map which, if completed within a year, would represent a good deal of useful work. The financial aspect would have to bo gone into by the committee at later meetings.

General Discussion. A general discussion ensued. Eeplying to Mr Kitson, Mr Hammond said that the duty of preparing the regional scheme devolved on the committee which would have to arrange for expert advice. To Mr Maginness he said that in England and America the agricultural belt had been adopted to checkmate those who desired to evade town planning control. Replying to the Mayor, he said that if the committee encountered difficulties it could not surmount, it should send for him, and he would give all assistance possible. In the courso of a discussion on finance, the Mayor said that there was nothing optional about the scheme^—it had to bo done—and by working together the plan could be worked out more cheaply than if each local authority was obliged to do it on its own. Board's Approval Sought. On the motion of Mr Leaver, seconded by Mr Barnard, it was resolved: "That application be made to the Town Planning Board for approval of a combined committee, and of the following members of such committee —His Worship the Mayor and Cr. Manning, representing the City of Christchurch; Cr. E. Hepburn, representing Riccarton Borough Council; Cr. H. W. Harris, representing Sumner Borough Council, Cr. E. A. M. Leaver, representing Now Brighton Borough Council; Mr H. H. Barnard, Borough Engineer, representing Lyttelton Borough Council; Cr. H. Kitson, representing Waiinairi County Council; Cr. R. M. Morten, representing Halswell County Council; Mr Geo. Maginness, representing Paparua County Council; and Cr. B. Riley, representing Heathcote County Council" Each body represented on the committee is to be asked to arrive at a resolution on the following lines: "That this Council resolves to unite with the City of Christchurch, the boroughs of New Brighton, Sumner, Lyttelton, Riccarton, and the counties of Waimairi, Heathcote, Halswell, and Paparua, for the purpose of preparing a combined town planning Bcheine." Each body also is to arrive at a resolution confirming the appointment of its representative on the committee. A vote of thanks by acclamation was accorded Mr Hammond.