The Christchurch Methodist Mission's plan to move 16 temporary former earthquake units from Linwood Park to a site in Guild St, Richmond, was approved by a city council hearings panel last week.
- Uproar over plan to use old quake units for social housing
- Fears work to turn quake units into social housing has started
Residents cannot appeal the decision because the mission’s resource consent application was non-notifiable, which means the public can’t make submissions on it.
The units were used at Linwood Park for temporary housing after the 2011 earthquake.
Guild St resident Mike Williams felt the process has failed his community, especially for those who have spent thousands of dollars complying with the city council’s rules and regulations for the area.
“Many in the community feel the same and have legitimate concerns about this proposal," he said.
“I’ve just spent $3000 on 10 2.4 metre high evergreens to plant, which in my mind should at least add something of value and soften and enhance the area.
“I think the new village will require good management on every level by CMM.
"We all hope it becomes a beauty spot and not a pimple on the face of Richmond," said Mr Williams.
Innes Ward councillor Pauline Cotter empathised with the community and was disappointed the project had started “on the wrong foot”.
She questioned whether all possible options were considered for the housing’s placement.
“I’m a bit disappointed that it started on the wrong foot," she said.
"I empathise with those who have had to spend quite a bit of money doing the right thing on their part, but I understand the panel has to work within constraints,” said Cr Cotter.
“Nothing makes as much difference to children than a warm, safe place to call home and where memories can be created,” she said.
“For families caught in the housing crisis, this development will bring the certainty and stability they need.”
Nearby residents feared work to relocate the units had already started earlier this month before the proposal had been approved by the council when they spotted power company Connetics at the site.
Orion general manager of infrastructure Steve Macdonald said Connetics, a subsidiary of Orion, was installing infrastructure to support future connections at the site and the company does not get involved in the resource consent process.
"This work will facilitate the connection of additional customers to our network, and any future use of the property at 40 Guild St,” Mr Macdonald said.
"The work is undertaken under our standard terms of agreement with developers.
"It’s the developer’s responsibility to seek resource consent,” he said.
The site has been leased from the landowner, Anglican Care, for 34 years and will provide 15 families in desperate need of housing with a secure and affordable home.
