Owners agree to demolition of Taylors Mistake baches

The owners of four baches at Taylors Mistake have agreed to their demolition by the Christchurch City Council.

The Council has been working with bach owners following a site visit in March to assess their state after complaints were received by members of the public.

Head of Facilities and Property, Bruce Rendall, says the baches are in a poor state of repair and pose significant health, safety, and environmental risks.

“These baches are in a hazard zone with a high risk of rockfall,” Mr Rendall says.

“They are in a dilapidated state and well beyond any attempt to repair them. Some have been vandalised and there have been incidents of debris from baches falling onto the beach or into the sea.”

Mr Rendall says the owners accept the Council’s assessment.

“It hasn’t been easy for them – these baches have been in their families for many years and they have a strong historic and emotional connection to them,” he says.

“We’re grateful that they understand our need to protect people and the environment and have come to the difficult decision to allow their baches to be demolished.”

The four baches – baches 63, 64, 67, and 68 – are among 27 privately owned baches at Taylors Mistake that occupy public road reserve.

After consultation in 2018 the Council agreed in 2019 to allow owners to apply for a licence to occupy the baches. Licences were issued under certain conditions, including that any rockfall or other health, safety or environmental risks were mitigated.

One of the decisions made by the Council after the 2018 consultation was that if owners did not accept the conditions of the licence to occupy, including mitigating risks such as rockfall, any required demolition or removal would be at the owners’ expense.

“This is an exceptional situation,” Mr Rendall says. “These baches pose an unacceptable risk to the public and need to be demolished as soon as possible. To expedite demolition, Council has agreed to fund the work because it is urgently required.”

Demolition will be paid for from the Council’s Non-conforming Use Fund. Safety fencing will be installed as soon as possible and asbestos testing done. Demolition will begin as soon as possible after a contract is awarded.