The Christchurch City Council has made another U-turn in a decision on whether to save more than 800 trees that face losing their protected status.
Protected lime trees in Christchurch (file) Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
In February, the council signed an agreement with heritage advocates to protect the trees, which would have lost their status due to changes in planning rules.
The council then went back on that agreement, provoking an outcry from heritage advocates.
But in the council's opening submission to an independent hearing panel reviewing the planning rules today, council lawyer Matt Conway said it would be sticking to the original agreement.
All the trees were on private property.
Tomorrow, some of the affected property owners will present their views to the panel, which has the final say on the trees' protected status.
