Saving and restoring an old cottage in Clyde was impossible because "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear", the Central Otago District Council's hearings panel was told this week.
Architect John Blair, of Queenstown, made the comment on behalf of clients Gus and Barbara Johnston, who want resource consent to demolish the Matau St cottage, which is in the heritage precinct, and build a house on the site.
The application attracted eight submissions. Five submitters opposed consent being granted, and three were neutral.
The building is not included in the council's heritage register.
Three submitters wanted the cottage retained, while the other objectors were concerned about the visual impact of a new house in the heritage precinct.
Mr Blair, who designed the house for the couple, said the cottage was in a "dilapidated state" when the property was bought by the Johnstons. He believed the wooden cottage was built in 1906, not in 1895, as architect Jackie Gillies had said in her report on the building.
"It doesn't seem to me to be of much substance whether it was 1906 or 1895; what's important is, it's unliveable." It was not feasible to incorporate the cottage into the new buildings planned, because of its state of disrepair and because of its location on the site. Other restoration projects he had been involved in had "good bones" and had potential, unlike this cottage.
Murray Reeves and Lynette Hayward, who live near the cottage, had opposed resource consent because of concerns about the new building and its visual impact in the heritage precinct.
Mr Reeves said he was worried about an excavator and plate compactor being operated near historic stone walls during construction of the home.
"We've never had any objection to the old house being taken down - it's beyond redemption," Mr Reeves said.
Mr Blair said care would be taken not to damage the stone walls during construction.
Historic stone walls and stone outbuildings on the site, together with two mature walnut trees, would be retained.
The hearings panel reserved its decision.
