16 Colombo Street South, Sydenham

Star , Issue 9115, 21 December 1907, Page 6

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.

Press Release: Yani Johanson

Councillor Welcomes School of Music Resource Consent Decline
Yani Johanson, Christchurch City Councillor: 7 May 2010

"I welcome the decision by the Commissioners to decline the University's School of Music consent at the historic Arts Centre. The decision confirms my personal belief all along that this proposal was contrary to the basic principles of heritage protection that are in the City Plan. It is a true shame that before agreeing to the $24 million dollar loan, Councillors were not presented with a heritage assessment which would of proved this point.

The fact that this development was of such magnitude meant it was always going to be problematic for it to occupy the location it had chosen. The citizens of Christchurch cherish the historic value and unique nature of the Arts Centre. This decision highlights how important it is that any new development must be sympathetic in scale and character. I commend those who fought to stop the proposal from destroying the special qualities of the Arts Centre and the Dux De Lux. Their concerns have been vindicated.

I now call on the University and the Council to abandon its ludicrous proposal by not appealing this damning decision. It would simply be a waste of time and money for all involved to continue to push this unacceptable concept on a city and a community that does not want it."

Canterbury College