The Archway Lecture Theatres are expected to be demolished after the university appealed to the Environment Court to overturn heritage protection granted by the Dunedin City Council.
The university has maintained the theatres do not meet heritage protection criteria, are surplus to future needs of staff and students, and that their removal has been considered since 2010 — possibly to be replaced with a formal garden space.
In July, the building was one of 129 given greater protection from demolition or modification without consent under changes to Dunedin’s district plan — a decision made by commissioners Rob van Voorthuysen (chairman), Sophie Barker and Jim O’Malley (both then councillors).
Mr van Voorthuysen accepted the university’s evidence and recommended the building not be protected, as did the council’s senior planner.
However, Ms Barker and Dr O’Malley did not, saying the building’s architectural value was worthy of heritage protection.
The theatres were built in 1974, designed by notable Dunedin architect Ted McCoy, and won an Enduring Architecture award in 2020.
Ms Barker and Dr O’Malley’s majority finding formed the panel’s decision, which the university appealed to the Environment Court.
In a consent order released earlier this month, Environment Court Judge Prudence Steven said the appeal was resolved following mediation between the council and university late last year.
The organisations concluded removing heritage protection from the theatres was the ‘‘most appropriate’’ option, although they still disputed the building’s heritage value.
Judge Steven’s order summarised the reasons for the change — for example, the building was forecast to be unused within three years, and protecting it would have restricted university operations.
Also: ‘‘[The university’s] proposal to replace the [Archway Lecture Theatres] with a formal garden space connecting the adjacent [Consumer and Applied Science] building with Union St and the Gothic heritage buildings of the Clocktower heritage site will enhance the amenity of the surrounding area’’.
Yesterday, acting property and campus development director Gordon Roy said the university welcomed the decision.
While there was no firm timeline, demolition of the theatres and neighbouring Gregory Building was expected ‘‘over the next couple of years’’.
There were also no confirmed plans on what would replace the theatres — these were expected to be clarified when the university completed its campus master plan later this year.
‘‘We are one of New Zealand’s leading stewards of heritage buildings and the opposition to the protection of buildings did not come lightly,’’ Mr Roy said.
‘‘But we must also ensure that our facilities meet the evolving needs of our students, staff and community.’’
Removing heritage protection allowed the university to make the best use of campus space, in line with long-term planning goals and educational needs, he said.
The council was unable to comment before deadline. Ms Barker and Dr O’Malley did not respond to request for comment.
