Sport & recreation  |  2 Dec 2019

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A Hearings Panel will meet on Friday to begin considering public submissions on a proposal to grant the Canterbury Cricket Trust (CCT) a new ground lease on Hagley Oval.

More than 2200 public submissions have been received on the lease proposal, reflecting the high level of public interest in the issue.

CCT already has a ground lease for Hagley Oval but it is seeking permission to vary that lease so it can install additional lighting towers around the Oval.

It wants to replace the current leased sites for four retractable lighting towers with leased sites for six fixed permanent lighting towers at different positions around Hagley Oval.

CCT says the additional flood lighting is required in order for Hagley Oval to meet international broadcasting standards for night matches.

It wants to have the lights in place in time for it to host matches during the 2021 International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Cricket World Cup.

The lights though can only be installed if there is an amendment to the District Plan to make them a permitted activity and if the Council grants a new ground lease for sites for the new towers.

The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration will, using her section 71 powers under the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act, decide if to amend the District Plan.

At the same time the Council is considering the lease issue. A Hearings Panel made up of elected members will meet on Friday to begin considering the feedback received during the public consultation process.

Staff analysis of the written submissions received show 2060 (93 per cent) were in support of granting the proposed lease while 159 (7 per cent) were opposed. Two did not state a preference.

At the end of the hearings, the panel will make recommendations to the Council.

If the Council agrees to a new ground lease, the new towers will only be able to be erected if the Associate Minister chooses to amend the District Plan using the Section 71 process.

Read the report prepared for the Hearings Panel and view the submissions.