Within district plans across New Zealand, every parcel of land has a specific zone which applies, and dictates the uses allowed on a property. The zoning system is designed to separate incompatible land uses and manage activities, ensuring that no one is adversely affected. It plays a crucial role in shaping the physical and functional characteristics of our communities.
Learn more
In recent years, New Zealand has faced significant challenges in the housing sector, including soaring property prices, a shortage of affordable homes, and increasing demand for rental properties. Amidst these challenges, the concept of Build-to-Rent (BTR) development has emerged as a possible solution. BTR refers to residential developments specifically designed and constructed for long-term rental purposes rather than for sale. This model, which has gained traction in markets like the United States and the United Kingdom, is now making its mark in New Zealand.
Esplanade strips or reserves provide a public benefit, allowing the public to walk along the margin of a river, lake or the coastline as public space. These public areas are created at the time land is subdivided by way of creating an esplanade reserve or strip. Such land is still taken today where councils determine its necessary to provide for either public access or for conservation purposes.
As a Resource Management Planner, it's more common than people realise to encounter properties with unauthorised construction. These can include where buildings have been constructed or modified, vegetation cleared, or a building platform cut into the side of a hill. The introduction of the 30-square-meter structure exemption under the building code has contributed to this issue, with many people unaware of the conditions that accompany this legislation. Additionally, many are unaware the provisions of the Resource Management Act (RMA) still apply.
The 2023 election saw a change in government and a shift in direction from building up and intensifying urban land to building out. This shift is part of a work programme for reforming New Zealand’s resource management system and includes implementing a “Going for Housing Growth” work package to “fix the housing crisis”.
If you are looking to develop an assessment of the standards and provisions of the District Plan needs to be undertaken. Once this assessment has been undertaken you will find the development will be categorised into a certain activity status depending on the nature of the proposed development. These are listed below along with a brief description of what the statuses mean for a proposed development.
Subdivision and Selwyn go hand in hand however, there are new cost of subdividing hitting the Selwyn region. Although there are new costs, with a new district plan ripe and ready for use, the best time for subdivision is now. While there are many benefits to subdivision, monetarily and otherwise, there is an often-hidden cost that may sting landowners if not understood prior to gaining approval for subdivision consent. This pesky obscured cost is found in development contributions.
The planning system in New Zealand often gets criticism for being the source of many frustrations. Developers face cost and time delays associated with processes under the Resource Management Act (RMA), while stakeholders such as environmental organizations and Iwi are concerned that there are insufficient protections for the land and environment they value.
Planners, who are at the forefront of these frustrations, play a crucial role in explaining the nature of planning provisions and the processes required under the RMA. They also manage the competing interests associated with the use and development of our land, air, and water resources, with a focus on creating sustainable outcomes.
Applications for a residential unit or principle building on a single urban site
If you are proposing to develop a residential unit on an urban site and it triggers the need for a Flood Assessment Certificate (FAC) under a Rule in the District plan, then all applications for a FAC are to include a site plan, which includes existing site ground levels in relation to a datum reference. This has to be certified by a licensed cadastral surveyor.
The one constant we can rely on is change and Selwyn has experienced some significant changes in the past 10 years, most notably, population growth and urban land development. Based on current trends, the Selwyn District is the fastest growing district in the country. More residential land development is needed. The question is, where.