Press Release

"A major victory for heritage values and common sense" today said Richard Sinke, Chair of Save Our Arts Centre, responding to the decision of the independent Commissioners not to grant a Resource Consent for the proposed Music School at the historic Arts Centre in Christchurch.

"SOAC is delighted that arguments that the proposed Music School building would seriously harm the heritage values of the historic buildings of the Arts Centre have been accepted by the Commissioners.

"We have absolutely no doubt that this is a landmark decision of great significance, and one which will be widely applauded throughout the community of Christchurch and beyond. It is a decision which reinforces the place of heritage values and why our world class Arts Centre site - heritage buildings and land - must be conserved and protected from inappropriate development, now and in the future.

SOAC will consider its response to the subdivision decision once it has been examined fully.

"SOAC is most grateful to its witnesses - many of them national or international experts in their fields - who presented submissions to the Commissioners.

SOAC believes that its stand against the construction of the proposed new building to house part of the University’s Music School was supported by a majority of the citizens of Christchurch. In particular, SOAC is most grateful to the months of steadfast encouragement and financial support from its members and supporters group, numbering nearly 5000 citizens", said Mr Sinke.

We now await due process, to see if the joint applicants - the University and the Arts Centre Trust Board, wish to exercise any appeal rights." said Mr Sinke.