Planning threatened by cabins, says councillor

Press, 11 April 1979, Page 31

Planning threatened by cabins, says councillor

' jf too many groups •were allowed to live in

• cabins, the Waimairi ICdunty Council would , fafe an explosive situation -arid “bang would go residential planning,” Cr E. 1..JSonisch told the council’s .town-planning committee. * Members considering an application for a specified departure from the district scheme to ibuild a cabin separate -from a main residential in Burwood. Most councillors agreed that the Rabins should be allowed, ’provided their use was reStricted to the elderly, or h£ physically and intellectually handicapped. ■> Cr M. E. Murray said it Was very worth while socially for a solo parent to be close to the family ’for the first years. Cr Bonisch replied that the inclusion of solo parents /would be adding something that was never intended. The elderly and handicapped had no choice over their situation; solo mothers did. If the district -scheme was altered to include every person who provided proof of need, there could be two dwellings on every site, he paid. Councillors decided to

refer the matter to the full council. In the meantime, staff would investigate the implications of allowing members of different groups to live in cabins adjacent to the main dwelling on a section. The matter would also be discussed at a workshop. The chairman (Cr I. Calvert) said that any change to the district scheme to allow for cabins, was a matter of considerable significance. He was concerned that it could be abused. Cr Rich agreed saying that the intention to allow the elderly or handicapped to live near their families was fine. But the council needed teeth to ensure that the flats were no longer used after they had served their purpose. The committee had earlier lifted restrictions against .Peter Stevens, Ltd, the firm which builds cabins in Broughs Road. Its decision was subject to six conditions including that no more than four houses, 12 new cabins and 10 used cabins be located on the site at any one time.

The cabins can be transported on a truck and may be sold back to the

company after they are no longer needed.

More permits Although the value of building permits was down in March, compared with last year, more than twice the number of permits were issued for new dwellings in the county. T w e n t y-five permits were issued for new dwellings worth $935,807 compared with 12 houses worth $378,729 in March 1978. The average cost per dwelling increased from $31,560 to $37,432, but the average cost per square metre rose by only $7 to $240.

The number of permits issued for additions also increased sharply. These accounted for 142 permits compared with 90. Those for commercial buildings remained about the same at seven, but only three permits were issued for blocks of flats compared with 10 last March.

Statistics for the year ended March 31, 1979, show that permits for 241 new dwellings worth more than SBM were issued. The total value of permits issued for all types of buildings was more than SIBM.