METRONEWS
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Lawyers thoughts on Cathedral

Emily O'Connell
Cathedral Earthquake broken fallen Christchurch
Earthquake ruined Christchurch Cathedral  Metronews

One lawyer said it's illegal to rebuild the Christ Church Cathedral.


One lawyer who had been pushing for the Christ Church Cathedral to be restored has said there's no legal way the building will be completely rebuilt.

A decision still had not been made six years on from the quake which destroyed the City's iconic building.

Lawyer, Politician and Co-chairman of the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust, Philip Burdon said the Cathedral should be restored.

"All professional advice has made it very clear: the building can be restored. And the majority opinion of Christchurch quite clearly is that is should be restored, it's part of our heritage, it's part of history and it clearly has a significant spiritual component for many people."

Burdon said although the building can be restored it's extremely unlikely it could ever be legally demolished.

Co-chairman of the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust, Philip Burdon said the legal impediments of a catergory one Heritage building are overwhelming.

Burdon said he's hoping a decision on the Church will come in the next few days but is realistic about it taking longer.