The Clutha District Council is to hold talks with the owner of the controversial holiday home built at the Waipori Cemetery and shifting the house could be considered.

Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes said the the house owner, Kelvin Read, the council, the Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board and those opposed to the building had inherited a series of errors going back 100 years.

The cemetery boundaries and the site of burial plots were in doubt.

Buildings had been put on the land and much had happened over the years that should not have. It was now up to the council to try and rectify the mistakes, he said. About 10 people opposed to the holiday home attended a public forum before the council went into committee to discuss the cemetery.

Mr Hayes later spoke to the opponents.

A spokeswoman, Annette Joel, said she appreciated Mr Hayes talking to them personally. She said she hoped justice would be done.

Several people, including members of the community board, have urged the council to simply follow-the law, which precludes the building of dwellings on a cemetery reserve.

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