Council is proposing the demolition of the Former Woodham Park Caretaker’s House, at 157 Woodham Road.
The Former Woodham Park Caretaker’s House and Setting is scheduled as a Significant Heritage Item #1445 in the Christchurch District Plan.
The Caretaker’s House is an early-1940s building, situated in a partly fenced off area to the east of the Woodham Road entrance to Woodham Park.
The house has been unoccupied since 2009 and is boarded up. It is increasingly deteriorating and sustaining unauthorised access and graffiti. Council has received 15 complaints about the property since 2019 about dumped rubbish/flytipping and squatters. A neighbour has raised concerns about the undesirable behaviour on the site and the impact it is having on their family.
The Caretaker’s House and setting will require extensive works to restore, with costs estimated between $900,000 to $1,100,000 and demolition between $42,500-$45,000. There is currently no budget allocated to a restoration.
If the house was removed the site would be opened to the park by removing the perimeter wooden fence with landscaping and interpretation developed. The road front stone fence and gate would remain.
Christchurch City Council purchased 1.32 hectare ‘Woodham’ for £2280 from Captain Ivimey for a children's playground and neighbourhood park. It contained a two-storey residence, which was partly removed in 1941, outbuildings and two glasshouses.
A design was prepared for a caretaker’s house using salvaged materials from the original residence. These include some windows (lead light window), front gate and boundary wall.
House is built and the first caretaker takes residence.
Staff moves out. House has been empty since and has deteriorated over time.
Woodham Park Caretaker's House and setting is scheduled as a Significant Heritage Item in the Christchurch District Plan proposed Heritage Plan Change 13.
For a more in-depth history, view the heritage assessment here.
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