Argument over fire rights at razed site
The owner of a former Horowhenua piggery that was destroyed in a controlled fire says he was given verbal permission by council staff to raze the building.
But Horizons Regional Council officials say the building was burnt without their say so.
The fire service went to a fire at the Kuku Beach Rd building, which gained infamy in 2009 when it featured in an animal welfare investigation fronted by comedian Mike King, about 9.45am on Saturday.
The council has since launched an investigation into the fire but John Clarke, who now owns the property near Levin, said he believed he had permission to burn it down.
‘‘It was verbal authorisation... [from] everybody that we spoke to,’’ he said.
Clarke said he did not know why the council thought otherwise.
When asked by the Manawatu Standard why he decided to burn it down, Clarke said ’’did you ever see [it]?’’ in reference to the building’s dilapidated condition.
He said he planned to turn the space into a market garden.
In an earlier statement, Horizons Regional Council group manager of strategy and policy Dr Nic Peet said the owner inquired with the council several weeks ago about burning in a rural zone and was advised of the One Plan rules, which dictate what can and cannot be burned.
‘‘We do not permit for structure fires and there was no permission given in this case,’’ Peet said.
‘‘As a result, we have started a formal investigation, which will focus on potential breaches of the One Plan.
‘‘This may include getting statements from local residents.’’
When approached on Tuesday about Clarke’s comment, Peet said as they did not permit structure fires, staff would not have given permission verbally or otherwise. ‘‘A formal investigation is likely to take a few weeks,’’ he said.
‘‘We cannot speculate on what the outcome is until the investigation is completed.’’
Kuku Beach Rd resident Chris Wilson said the blaze caught many people by surprise and caused panic and confusion.
Wilson, who lives about 200 metres from the property, said he was not informed about the fire and it appeared none of his neighbours were either.
‘‘I was sitting in the lounge looking at the sun disappear [behind the smoke].
‘‘It would have been nice to have been told.’’
Wilson initially thought someone had set fire to the property, but after going to the scene he heard people saying it was a controlled fire and there were no dangerous materials being burnt.
Peet said if any neighbours had health concerns they could contact Public Health.