Lanes Network
Plan Scope
The Christchurch City Council has adopted the Central City Lanes Plan. This will guide the redevelopment and enhancement of Central City lanes. The Plan is part of the Council's 25-year Central City Revitalisation Strategy.
The overall goal of the Lanes Plan is to create a series of safe and attractive pedestrian corridors through the Central City. They may also become vibrant mixed-use destinations for residents and visitors to Central Christchurch. The Plan identifies potential projects in lanes areas and can be used to initiate public-private partnerships by both property owners and the Council.
New lanes will also be considered under this Plan, particularly in the 'Central City South' precinct. Cul-de-sac lanes may also be dealt with but it is preferable that they are opened up to create full through access between city blocks and that any potential safety issues are addressed as part of their redevelopment.
The Council is already working with developers in Lichfield Lanes and the South of Lichfield (SOL) precincts to enhance the appeal and prosperity of these areas. The Council will also be seeking to work with the owners of Westpac Lane (Cathedral Square area) and Kivers Lane (City Mall area) in the near future.
Over the next 5-15 years the Council is interested in investigating suitable enhancement and redevelopment options with owners of land adjacent to:
- Tattersalls and Plymouth Lanes (City Mall area)
- Press, Tramway, Strand, Chancery, and OGB Lanes (Cathedral Square area)
- Woolsack Lane
- Mollet Street
Plus several as yet unnamed lanes
Implementation of the Lanes Plan will be based on these principles:
- Partnership based approach - the success of Central City is largely dependent on a good relationship with property owners and the Council
- Public access provision - good pedestrian safety and access is a key component of Central City revitalisation
- Contextual development and heritage conservation - buildings and activities on land adjacent to lanes contributes to their special character and should be valued and enhanced in any design
- New lanes - new lanes can create safe and convenient corridors, improving the flow of people through the Central City
- High quality urban design - lanes redevelopment projects should reflect nationally recognised design principles
Like many Central City revitalisation projects, the success of the Lanes Plan relies on the willingness of property owners to join forces with the Council to improve the overall function and appearance of the City.
The closing date for feedback on the proposed Lanes Plan from affected property owners is 5pm Friday 8th December 2006.
Lichfield Lanes
The Lichfield Lanes is the area around the public streets of Poplar and Ash and includes private land which has access onto Lichfield and High Streets. Once part of Christchurch's main warehouse district (1880s), the area is now home to a diverse range of retail, hospitality, residential, and commercial uses and the area is fast becoming one of Christchurch's more interesting precincts.
The history of the Lichfield Lanes project stems from an architectural study and report prepared by Athfield Architects for the Council in 1997. One of the recommendations was to renovate building facades along High Street between Lichfield and Tuam Streets, which the Council undertook by providing financial encouragement and design advice to local property owners.
Many of the other report recommendations are now being driven by BBS group of companies which, since 2003, has been working with the Council to refurbish buildings, create a new public easement, and implement landscaping and lighting enhancements. While the project is still evolving, the vitality and ambience of the area has significantly increased and the future holds great promise for investors, tenants, residents, and the wider community.
South of Lichfield (SOL)
Around the same time that the Lichfield Lanes project has been taking shape, local development company Property Ventures Limited has purchased and refurbished sites in Lichfield Street, west of Manchester, called the area 'South of Lichfield': SOL' for short. In addition to an appealing and diverse mix of land use activities, much of which has an upmarket and boutique character, one of the key features of this project is the formation of a new lane. The lane is located on the former site of His Lordships' hotel and tavern and has aptly been named "His Lordship's Lane".
The site has been transformed into a unique and visually appealing urban space enhanced by new paving, lighting, renovated facades, and bright outdoor furniture. Further work is being done to extend and connect this lane with the wider SOL area and, like the Lichfield Lanes project, the precinct holds an exciting future for those involved, residents, and visitors yet to discover it.
Colonial Lane
During 2003-04, the Council formed a public-private partnership with property owners of 'Colonial Lane' to improve the physical appearance of this relatively short but privately-owned corridor which runs north-south between Gloucester Street and The Square. The Council agreed to repave the lane using some pavers from the Cathedral Square Redevelopment Project on the basis that the property owners remove the rubbish skips that were being used in the lane. New lighting has been installed, with the associated costs being shared between the Council and adjacent owners. As there are still pavers left over from the Cathedral Square Re-development Project, there is an opportunity to repave a number of other lanes which connect with Cathedral Square to strengthen the urban design identity of the precinct.
Short Term Priorities
The following four projects are priorities under the plan:
- Lichfield Lanes
- South of Lichfield Project
- Westpac Lane
- Kivers Lane
Medium to Long Term Projects
Other potential lanes projects are, in no particular order of priority:
Remaining City Mall Lanes, e.g., Tattersalls Lane and Plymouth Lane
Remaining Cathedral Square Lanes, e.g., Press Lane, Tramway Lane, Strand Lane, Chancery Lane, and OGB Lane
Woolsack Lane, and an unnamed lane to the east of Woolsack Lane west of Madras Street
Mollet Street
Unnamed lane, Tuam-Lichfield Street, west of Colombo Street
Unnamed lane, Lichfield Street - Bedford Row
New Lanes, that are proposed as part of Central City revitalisation project such as the Central City South project and the Turners and Growers project
Click here to read a full version of the 'Central City Lanes Plan' part of the report to Council.
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