A drawn-out dispute over the future of a group of historic
Princes St, Dunedin buildings looks set to draw out further.
In September 2010, the Dunedin City Council granted resource
consent to Prista Apartments for its project to demolish
buildings at 372-392 Princes St and 11 Stafford St, and
replace them with apartments and retail space.
The decision, which required the company to replace the
buildings with those of a similar design, followed two years
of hearings, petitions, public meetings and heated
opposition.
But after consent was granted, the New Zealand Historic
Places Trust appealed, and the row of buildings has lain
dormant since.
The hearing was delayed last year because of the lack of
availability of professional engineers and other witnesses,
brought on by the Christchurch earthquakes.
This week, council resource consents manager Alan Worthington
said mediation was continuing between Prista and the Historic
Places Trust, in an attempt to avoid court.
There were late February dates for producing evidence, though
it appeared that would not occur then.
"We don't have a court date yet," Mr Worthington said.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.