Wilson Parking ran car park without consent for months
Wilson Parking operated a car park without resource consent on an empty site in central Christchurch for months even after it was warned by the city council.
Wilson started operating the car park in February on a small empty site on the western side of Manchester St between Hereford and Worcester streets. The site is at the centre of a block beset by derelict buildings.
The council approached Wilson saying it needed consent for the site on March 17. Wilson closed the car park and erected a fence around the site about three months later on June 12. The council was informed the car park was closed on June 24 and confirmed that with a site inspection on June 26.
A spokeswoman for Wilson Parking said the company was engaged by the property owners to manage unauthorised parking on the site.
‘‘A short time after operations commenced, planning consultants were engaged to prepare and lodge a consent and operations continued as the consent was being processed,’’ she said in a written statement.
‘‘Covid-19 restrictions meant the viability of the parking site was significantly impacted. Wilson Parking always has, and always will remain committed to obtaining all necessary consents required by council.’’
Council regulatory compliances head Tracey Weston said no action was taken against Wilson over the site.
‘‘There was no approved resource consent for this site.
‘‘When council’s regulatory compliance team became aware of the operation of the car park, Wilson Parking were contacted and advised that a resource consent was required if they wished to continue to operate from the site,’’ Weston said.
‘‘No infringement or other enforcement action was taken as Wilson Parking closed the site following the advice from council.’’
Weston said the council had taken action against Wilson for breaches of approved resource consents on other sites in Christchurch. The company was fined $1500 in May 2019 for five infringements on temporary car parks on the site earmarked for a new stadium east of the city centre.
No other infringements had been issued since then.
A spokeswoman for Wilson said the company invested in upgrading car parks ‘‘and supporting local contractors’’ in Christchurch.
‘‘We’re actively working with the council on several initiatives to improve car parks located on vacant, undeveloped properties as a result of the 2011 earthquake.’’
A property manager for the owners of the Manchester St car park site declined to comment.
The site is owned by Windlass Properties, a company directed by celebrated motorbike designer and property developer John Britten’s widow Kirsteen Britten, and Timothy Corcoran.