By Rose Leighton, Planner, Baseline Group | Aug 15, 2023
The concept of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) has an increased influence on development located within the Medium Design Residential Zone in Selwyn, due to the recently introduced Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021. If your property falls within this zone and you require a Resource Consent for development, these principles will likely influence your design choices.
Council can require applicants to consider the principles of CPTED, when a development does not comply with rules relating to the number of units, road boundary setback, windows to street, landscape area or outdoor storage. The core purpose of the CPTED principles is to achieve a safe and secure environment, through considering and applying the four main principles - natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement, and quality environments.
Natural surveillance applies along elevations that face the street or shared areas. Strategically positioning windows and doors facing streets and shared areas fosters a sense of 'overlooking' public spaces (roads, footpaths, reserves) and the perception that people are present. This acts as a deterrent against crime, as potential wrongdoers feel they might be observed. However, while providing for this is a positive outcome, it is important this is balanced with privacy, to ensure that one is not compromised for another.
Access control is intended to ensure private areas maintain privacy through a clear distinction of space. This will create a clear and logical orientation of places, to assist with wayfinding and safety, as loitering would be discouraged. An example of this is to make the main entrance obvious and distinct from other property access points.
Territorial reinforcement is aimed to encourage a sense of ownership, and as a result, a sense of responsibility for the publicly visible areas in the neighbourhood. This promotes caring for these spaces, through fostering attitudes of respect and community. A method for this includes modifying the environment to emphasise ownership, through measures such as landscaping, lighting, walkways and fencing.
Quality environments are intended to encourage development that is of good quality and well- maintained, to attract people and support surveillance of the area. This principal is closely linked to territorial reinforcement, as the measures which foster a sense of ownership, also create a quality environment.
So how do these principles come through in the design and location of proposed developments? If you wish to infringe on any of the rules mentioned above, then Council will likely be concerned about how the CPTED principles can still be provided for. For example, an infringement of the road boundary setback could result in smaller windows to preserve privacy and a reduced area for landscaping. Consequently, there is an omission of natural surveillance and a decreased quality environment. The purpose of the CPTED principles is to ensure these negative outcomes do not arise, and instead foster safe homes, promote community engagement, and ensure pleasant environments. Get in contact with a planning consultant today to understand whether these principles may affect you, and how they can be incorporated into developments.
Articles you might be interested in
- The Role of Planning in the Climate Change - Discussion for Agriculture
- Changes to Resource Management Planning Signalled in Proposed Legislation
- Indigenous Biodiversity: what does it mean for a farmer?
- Crunch Time For New Freshwater Legislation
- The National Policy Statement for Natural Hazard Decision-Making and its effects on Resource Consents
- Who Shapes our Planning Rules?
- Good District Plan provisions save time and money
- State highways, noise and reverse sensitivity: what’s the buzz?
- The Role of Planning in Land and Property Development
- Wild Weather and Resource Consent Requirements
- Time matters – With Resource Consent
- Housing Growth continues in Selwyn with Legislative Support
- Buildings under exemptions may still need resource consent
- Have your say on Development Projects
- How might Development Contributions affect you?
- Managing Wastewater in Rural Canterbury: A Guide for Property Owners
- Selwyn District Council Changes Urban Allotment Sizes
- Submissions to a Resource Consent by Affected Parties
- A New Dawn for Granny Flats and Accessory Dwellings
- Planning land use to be resilient to natural hazards
- Planning Rules can Affect Property Value
- Cross lease titles - an overview
- Rivers, Lakes and Coastline, Public Space for All
- Cross Lease Titles
- Understanding Zoning and Density Rules in Selwyn
- Negotiating with Neighbours Under the RMA
- With increasing density, good design matters
- The Taking of Esplanades at the Time of Subdivision
- Councils are Increasing Residential Density, but why, who does it benefit?
- Is it a Wetland or Not?
- The rise or fall of rural lifestyle blocks in the Selwyn District?
- Why we have complicated septic tank disposal rules
- Balancing Common Sense and Legal Process under the RMA: Protecting Communities and the Environment
- What does an activity status mean for your land development?
- But that’s the way we have always done it!
- The dream of subdividing your land
- The Great Forestry Debate
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- Housing Intensification – Not for Everyone Says CCC
- Minimum Car Parking Requirements to be Chopped
- Our History - How We All Play a Part in its Protection
- Confused by Environmental Legislation? You are Not Alone.
- RMA changes are coming, are you ready?
- Hazardous activities, land contamination and resource consent applications
- The impact of consent notices when purchasing land
- Land Development opportunities and times of change
- Importance of Sediment Management in Land Development Projects: Simple Techniques for Effective Sediment Runoff Control
- What does a professional planner do?
- How Tree Canopies Transform Neighbourhoods and Enhance Lives
- The importance of knowing your boundaries
- Risks to farmland in the planning framework
- Your Rights as an Affected Neighbour: Navigating Development Under the RMA
- Tiny Home Revolution May Not Save Costs
- Flood Management | Changes in Selwyn
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan - What next?
- Back to Basics for the RMA Reforms
- Spotlight on District Plan Provisions
- Tiny Homes and Granny Flats
- Time's up on the RMA
- Historic Heritage Challenges for Landowners
- How lizards might affect your new development
- Is the RMA really the problem?
- What to do when you inherit land
- Rural allotment sizes set to double in West Selwyn
- Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes - effect on farming
- Planning Permissions – Resource Consent or Plan Change?
- What does The Selwyn District Plan (appeals version) mean for the planning process and consent?
- Subdividing – The Basics
- The costs of subdividing hitting Selwyn | development contributions
- Burning crop stubble on your property?
- Boundary disputes – What are they and how can you resolve them?
- Rural Allotment Sizes set to Double
- Build-to-Rent Development in New Zealand: A Rising Trend in Housing
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan Update
- Who Pays for Infrastructure in Greenfield Land Development?
- What does your zone mean for you and your property?
- A Practical Guide for District Plan Reviews
- A recent Baseline Group project was recognised at the 2022 Canterbury Architecture Awards
- District Plan in Selwyn – How will it Affect You?
- Going for housing growth, to improve housing affordability
- New Indigenous Biodiversity Legislation Mandates Significant Natural Area Identification
- Fundamental Culture Shift in New Zealand Planning Legislation.
- Make Your Additional Land Profitable Under the Selwyn Proposed Plan
- Commercial Activity in a Rural Zone – What’s the Harm?
- Minimum car parking requirements to be chopped
- Navigating New Opportunities: The Importance of Land Development Planning in 2024
- How to navigate Rural Land Development Under the National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Soils
- Flood Management – An Update
- Game changers for housing under the RMA
- Change isn't coming, it's here!
- Ensuring Compliance with Resource Management Laws
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- Managing Cultural Heritage Sites