Press release 14 September 2006
Council briefed on Taylors Mistake baches
Whether or not Taylors Mistake baches should stay or go is an issue that’s been around for years. Christchurch City
Council staff briefed the Council yesterday on the baches, seeking direction on whether to proceed with the findings of
an 2003 Environment Court ruling, which has also been signalled in the City Plan.
This would allow for some baches to remain and others to be relocated to a replacement zone directly behind the beach
area.
The Environment Court found that:
- The natural character of the area was higher with the baches than it would be if they were removed and the land merely
retained as pastoral;
- At Taylors Mistake, 22 of the baches should remain on a scheduled basis in the District Plan – “scheduled” meaning the
location and use of the baches would be permitted and defined in a schedule to the City Plan.
- The most visually prominent baches occupying the most seaward portion of the bay were to be removed.
- At Boulder Bay, all nine baches on legal road would remain on a scheduled basis.
The Court upheld the proposed provision for bach relocation in the Proposed City Plan, saying the correct balance had
been achieved between the significant number of issues that had to be addressed in evaluating the scheduling of the
baches and the creation of the replacement zone to shift some baches to.
Another issue yet to be resolved is the possible licencing of baches which have been scheduled to remain. The unformed
road on which these baches are located belong to the City Council so, legally the Council would be within its right to
remove any structure on this land. However, legal advice given to Council was that licences could be issued to bach
owners, provided they did not prevent public access.
Councillors decided at the seminar to make a site visit to Taylors Mistake to familiarise themselves with issues
regarding the baches, before they could make any decisions.
ENDS