The opponents of the proposed conservatorium of music in Christchurch say a legal challenge to the project is not a stunt.
The Save Our Arts Centre group has filed papers in the High Court saying the Arts Centre trust board acted outside its powers. The group is calling for an injunction to stop the resource consent hearing in February.
The University of Canterbury says the challenge is a publicity stunt and that the trust deed gives trustees the power to construct buildings.
But the lawyer for Save Our Arts Centre, Jared Ormsby, says the conservatorium will not maintain the Arts Centre's historic and architectural integrity.
But the lawyer for Save Our Arts Centre, Jared Ormsby, says the conservatorium will not maintain the Arts Centre's historic and architectural integrity.
"They don't have a power to construct where that power is not being exercised either to fulfill the objects of the trust, or when that power - when it is exercised - will adversely affect the site and the buildings as a whole."
He says that's the basis of the action and it is not brought as a publicity stunt.
Mr Ormsby says the consent hearing should be deferred until the legal challenge can be resolved.
