Waimea Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 17 August 2022
Church land earmarked for housing JO KENT A collaboration between Habitat for Humanity and Richmond Baptist Church could see the land from Salisbury Rd through to The Deviation on SH6 developed into affordable housing. Discussions are underway to
build a new community on the land, which is owned by the church and adjacent to Richmond Aquatic Centre. Habitat for Humanity general manager Nick Clarke says talks are in the early stages and have been “exploring different possibilities” but, ultimately, it’s down
to the church to decide if the project goes ahead. The non-profit organisation responds to housing need either through affordable rentals or progressive home ownership models. “The land goes all the way behind the church down to The Deviation. You can’t build on all of it
because of flood modelling and power lines,” Nick says. “But you can build on quite a large part and make use of the rest of it with walkways, community paths and gardens or play areas.” He says it’s big enough to have a mixed development, where older people and families could live to-
gether. “With it being close to schools, supermarkets and the swimming pool, it’s a site that could be something interesting.” Nick says Habitat for Humanity is finding there are a number of
SEE PAGE 2
The site of Richmond’s original police station has been cleared, but parts of it have been rescued. Photos: Sara Hollyman.
Piece of Richmond’s history will live on SARA HOLLYMAN Richmond’s original police station on the corner of Oxford St and Wensley Rd has been demolished but parts of it will live to see another day. The historic 961sqm site used to house
the original jail in the garden, which was constructed out of kauri wood in 1860, costing just $80. It was subsequently moved to Washbourn Gardens for preservation a few decades ago. The police station, a weatherboard villa, was built in 1908 and was sold in 1996
for $140k and turned into three flats. The jail was then used a storage shed. Norwest Demolition and Recycled Timbers co-owner Cyrill Collier says from the day they arrived on site they had interest from the public about what was going on.
One of those people was local landscaper Geoff Sherlock, who knew a bit about the history of the building and wanted to save what he could from the demolition. Continued on page 4.
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