School fight 'David v Goliath'

Taking on three Christchurch institutions over the national music school proposal is like "David versus three Goliaths in the paddock", a resource consent hearing has been told.

Save Our Arts Centre (Soac) chairman Richard Sinke said the Christchurch City Council, Canterbury University and the Arts Centre Trust Board could easily pay for High Court and consent hearings.

However, Soac raised its own funds, "dollar by dollar".

Sinke attacked the absence of "public consultation" over plans for a 200-year council lease on the new facility.

He said most of the proposal's development happened behind closed doors.

"What we find really surprising is that neither of the governance bodies concerned ... saw fit to conduct any kind of public consultation at all on what are obviously matters of public policy and deep public interest."

Soac also believed the council's $24.3 million loan to pay for the development would not cover construction costs, forcing it to borrow more.

Sinke said the new development would be one-quarter the size of the Victoria-Massey University national school of music.

The Christchurch facility would also have fewer courses, including those in performance.

"We find it difficult to justify the use of the word `national', even for superficial PR purposes."

Soac's lawyer said the Arts Centre site would be degraded rather than enhanced by the project.

Margo Perpick said Soac would present evidence refuting claims the project would benefit the city. The building would destroy the coherence, consistency and intactness of the unique site, she said.

"The Arts Centre site ... is a finite resource over which stewardship must be carefully exercised. The heritage values ... must not be squandered or diminished for the minimal financial benefit which might be obtained."

The hearing was told several Christchurch architects would oppose the music school design by architect Sir Miles Warren.

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