Band hall gets go ahead despite concerns from residents
The Woolston Brass Band has been given the go ahead to build a new $2.5 million rehearsal facility in its home suburb despite a chorus of opposition from neighbours.
The 127-year-old band wants to build a 618 square metre practice facility in front of the Woolston Club on Hargood St, but a handful of neighbours are worried about noise, increased traffic and the impact on property values. They also fear the new location will destroy a memorial garden on the site.
However, following a one-day hearing on July 23, independent commissioner Ken Lawn has granted the band a resource consent to build the facility.
In his decision, he concluded any adverse effects related to noise, traffic and loss of residential amenity would be limited and less than minor.
Band committee member Steve Leader said the band was ‘‘relieved and optimistic’’ following Lawn’s decision. However, submitters had 15 working days to appeal the decision to the Environment Court.
‘‘Even though we are excited we can not move forward until that time.’’
If no objections were made, it could take a year before construction began because the band still needed to obtain building consents and raise the additional money needed, Leader said.
The band’s existing hall, 1.5km away on residential Dampier St, has been used since 1965 and is now too small, damaged from the earthquakes and needed demolished.
One of the objectors, Laraine to be McDonald, said she was disappointed and sad to be losing the park across the road, but accepted the decision.
‘‘All-in-all, I’m moving forward and I hope we are good neighbours to one another.’’
Another objector, Daryl Bergamini, said he was not happy with the decision and did not think the Woolston Club or the band were being communityminded. ‘‘It’s the only green area we’ve got left in Hargood St.’’
Bergamini had yet to decide if he would appeal the decision, but said the cost was likely to be too high.
Lawn said he understood the resident’s fears about noise because as lay people it could be difficult to accept the sound of the brass band would be largely contained within the building.
‘‘I am satisfied the building will be designed and constructed so that it meets the District Plan noise standard.’’