Owner defends razing historic house

The high-profile owner of a historic Christchurch home is defending his right to bring in the bulldozers.

Businessman Philip Carter received resource consent last month to tear down large parts of the Hurst Seager cottage on Clifton Hill in the Sumner suburb. Demolition began on Saturday.

The builder of the original house, Sir Joseph Kinsey, hosted such luminaries as Sir Ernest Shackleton, Captain Robert Falcon Scott, George Bernard Shaw and Mark Twain.

Demolition plans had raised concern among residents and heritage enthusiasts.

Mr Carter, who is a sponsor of Christchurch's Heritage Week and the managing director of Carter Group, said the work was entirely legal and within his rights.

"After buying the property 18 months ago I have always planned to redevelop the site and build a new home there," he said.

"The former house has never been listed as a heritage item and, due to extensive previous alterations and additions, has repeatedly been declined recognition by the Historic Places Trust."

As specified in the consent, Mr Carter would preserve the house's circular turret and the remains of a flagstaff. He planned to put a three-level home covering 825sq m on the site.

Clifton Neighbourhood Community member Gail Dowgray said residents were "saddened and sickened" by the house's demolition.

"A link between Christchurch and the Antarctic expedition of the last century has been lost."

Historic Places Trust regional manager Jennie Hamilton said trust staff were invited to visit the site only last Thursday.

"We've just discovered that the partial demolition consent had already been issued and the demolition contractors had already had several weeks' notice," she said.
"We're very disappointed that [Mr Carter] has taken such hasty action."

She called for the council's resource consent processes to be reviewed.

- NZPA