Demolition of landmark building disappointing.
Disappointed
I was visiting the office of Christ Church Anglican Church on Wicksteed St on Wednesday and noted, behind the clouds of dust that filled the air, demolition of Moore Stephens Markhams' two-storey premises. This was a sour and dismaying sight. I thought I had left the fight for heritage behind
in Christchurch. I'd given up the battle. It seems that, like rust that never sleeps, the issue of heritage values continues to rise from the grave. I shall have to take up the cudgels again. In the years prior to and including the September 2010 earthquakes in Christchurch I was involved with and debated with Mayor Bob Parker (now Sir Bob), Tony Marriot and the Christchurch City Council and their planning and heritage departments over preservation and development of Christchurch. I was involved with the debates and protests surrounding demolition of Manchester Courts, and the neogothic (pseudo gothic) addition to the Canterbury Arts Centre designed by Sir Miles Warren for Canterbury University, Christchurch Cathedral, Aidanfield residential redevelopment, destruction of residential housing to make way for the southern motorway extension on Broughham Street. Radio New Zealand's Checkpoint used my song Heritage Rock to top and tail their coverage of the music school debate.
I take issue with Moore Stephens Markhams over their non-notifiable demolition on several fronts. Did they photograph or record the interior and exterior of the building before they had it demolished? My guess would be that they didn't. That is ignorant and negligent. I also question their need to demolish.
CHRISTOPHER CAPE
Castlecliff
