By Annabelle Tukia
A group trying to save Christchurch's Anglican cathedral is taking its fight to the High Court. They hope an obscure act of Parliament will force the church to rebuild the landmark.
Work to deconstruct Christchurch's quake-ravaged cathedral is temporarily suspended, but if the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust gets its way it'll be stopped altogether.
They're seeking clarification from the High Court because they believe the Anglican Church's deconstruction of the building is in breach of a 2003 act of Parliament that protects church buildings.
“Under that act there is a provision for the trustees to repair and maintain church buildings including the cathedral – there’s no provision in there as far as we can see for destruction or deconstruction,” says Jim Anderton of the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust.
Mr Anderton says if the court interprets the law the way he does, the church would need to seek an amendment to the act before proceeding with its plans for deconstruction.
A spokesman for the church says they're not prepared to comment now that the matters pending before the courts other than to say they’re pushing ahead with the design consultation process.
Out in the quake-hit eastern suburbs, residents are over the cathedral.
“All the people out here are suffering and they're worrying about a church, I mean that can wait,” says Alf Blake
“I believe they've wasted enough money on the place now, they should let it go,” says John Turner.
Mr Anderton says he expects the case to be heard in the next month.
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