SYSTEM PARTLY CAUSE

Chronicle (Levin), 18 February 1948, Page 4

SYSTEM PARTLY CAUSE

> Why Sheds Are Bttilt With No Permit That the delay "in givin'g decisions on applications for building per^ mits might be the reason why some people pioc'eeded to bliild without first obtaining the ne.cessary permit was the vieW expressed during a discussion at the Levin Borough Council's monthly meeting on Monday night. It was resolved to write ^ t co the Building Controller draw- - ing h-is attention to this vie%. . h The diScfisSion arose whOn tho council Was considCrihg o. report from its "works committee on ah applicttion for a permit to- erect a timber planing shed, in Levin. -A petition signed "by *27 fesiae'nts of : the iocaf'ity had been received, lodging their very definite objec^ tion to, the proposal, said the retaort. The committee had approv-

•ed the application, provided a written. uhdertaking was given hy the applicant that no Other plant would be Opefate'd Cn the CeCtion, that the planer woujd 'be -remove'd if and when the* firm establishfed a saWiiiill in the , -di'striet hn'd that the machine would. be operated ohiy between the h'ours, of 7 a.m. ahd 6 p.m. • ' The appli'Cant had built the shed without a permit from the Building controller, the Mayor, Mr. H. • B. Burdekin, told the .meeting. This, "however, was not altogether the counCiFs business, blit a matter for the Building Controller. A serious position might arise if nO planer was in operation in Levin, as the o'iie which was operating at present would shortly be discontinued. The local builders would then have to send their timber to Palmerston North to be dressed, .ihvclving a great deal of extra expense. On the other hand the •council would have to give consideration to residents living adjacent to the industry. This again raised the question of town planning.

Cr. C. Sherwood considered the council should write to the Building Controller, pointing out theposition and asking that he- take action under the., recent regulations to have the building demblished as it had heen ereeted without a permit. Such action would serve as a •warhing to those who were contemplating building without a permit. When the whole country was erying olit for homes-and buildings, the council should ask the controller to expedite his decisions, commented Mr. R. A. Frederikson. When a ihan took the initiative and over-rode the slow moving authorities, he- Was not altogether to blame. The council could not countenance any iaW-breaking, was the rejoinder of the Mayor. It was then decided that a letter •be sent to the contrbller pointing out the need for more expeditious consideration of applications for building permits. In regard to the planing shed it was decided to allow its ereetion as recommended by the works committee.