Use of Cathedral Square land during Cathedral reinstatement

Proposal to lease a strip of Cathedral Square land temporarily to Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited (CCRL).

Consultation has now closed

A hearings panel met in November 2020 and recommended that the Council approve a lease and licence for 10 years at an annual rental of $1. The Panel also recommended that the Council authorise the Manager Property Consultancy to negotiate and conclude  the lease and licence.

You can read the minutes of the meeting(external link).

The Council met on Thursday 10 December 2020 and approved the use of Cathedral Square land during the Cathedral reinstatement. 

the Council accepted the Hearings Panel recommendation without change to:

1. Approve a lease and licence of a portion of land contained within 99 Cathedral Square as shown on the plan in clause 3.2 of the Hearings Panel Report for a period of 10 years at an annual rental of $1.
2. Authorise the Manager Property Consultancy to negotiate and conclude the lease and licence.

 

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Consultation 10 August to 7 September

Of the 20 submissions received [PDF, 16 KB], 16 supported the proposed lease and licence of part of the Square land to Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd for the reinstatement of the Cathedral. Three were opposed. One submitter agreed with the lease of land in front of the Cathedral, but opposed licensing an area to the north of the Cathedral.

 The main reasons provided for support were:

1.       Additional space would increase the project’s safety and efficiency

2.       The use of the Cathedral Square land would help reinstatement of the Cathedral – one of our city’s significant heritage places.

Representatives of the Cathedral’s owner, Church Property Trustees, the Transitional Cathedral and CCRL said they appreciated the Council’s support for the reinstatement project.

 Of the three submissions opposing the lease and licence:

1.       Two opposed Council support for the reinstatement project

2.       One opposed CCRL being given the use of the kiosk. (CCRL has advised the Council that it no longer wishes to use the kiosk.)

Opposing a licence for land to the north of the cathedral, a hotel manager said the area was being used for parking by contractors. (Staff note: The three licence areas are to be used for vehicle access during the project.)

A hearing is scheduled at the Civic Offices on 2 November 2020 at 9.30am and the Council is expected to make a decision on 12 December 2020.

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Background

CCRL is responsible for reinstating the earthquake-damaged Cathedral over the next 10 years. It has asked the Council for a temporary lease during the reinstatement to provide more space for construction works, and to have the option of providing a visitor centre in the kiosk.

A temporary licence has been issued to CCRL for the use of land in front of the Cathedral for up to six months.

CCRL has also applied for a licence for small sections of legal road on the north, east and south of the Cathedral site. These areas, needed for access at different times during the project, will require a separate traffic management plan that takes public safety into account.

Our request for feedback is not part of  the recent consultation by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for a proposed Order in Council to streamline resource consents. See www.dpmc.govt.nz/cathedraloic(external link)

Details of lease

The 1,797m² lease site will extend the working area in front of the Cathedral by 10 metres.

This would allow CCRL to put its temporary construction offices outside the Cathedral collapse zone, improving safety for those working on-site. The additional storage area would reduce truck movements and provide room for site-based activities.                       

Extension of the western boundary during the Cathedral’s reinstatement enables work on the north, south and east to stay within the current boundaries and still allow access for road users, the tram and pedestrians.

Street lights would be relocated and new hoardings would include a viewing panel, plus information about the project.

A five-metre clear zone would separate the hoardings and the Godley Reserve boundary in Cathedral Square.

CCRL would like the option of using the kiosk if it is not needed by the Council.

Council report on use of Cathedral Square land [PDF, 705 KB]

 

 

Decision-making process

A Hearings Panel will consider all feedback and make a recommendation to Council. 

Hearings are expected to be held on 2 November 2020. If you would like to talk to the Hearings Panel about your submission please indicate this on the submission form.