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 importance of knowing your boundaries
- Buildings under exemptions may still need resource consent
- Have your say on Development Projects
- Why we have complicated septic tank disposal rules
- Is the RMA really the problem?
- Change isn't coming, it's here!
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- RMA changes are coming, are you ready?
- State highways, noise and reverse sensitivity: what’s the buzz?
- Minimum Car Parking Requirements to be Chopped
- District Plan in Selwyn – How will it Affect You?
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan - What next?
- Wild Weather and Resource Consent Requirements
- Commercial Activity in a Rural Zone – What’s the Harm?
- Spotlight on District Plan Provisions
- Make Your Additional Land Profitable Under the Selwyn Proposed Plan
- Who Shapes our Planning Rules?
- Councils are Increasing Residential Density, but why, who does it benefit?
- Rural Allotment Sizes set to Double
- Rural allotment sizes set to double in West Selwyn
- Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes - effect on farming
- Housing Growth continues in Selwyn with Legislative Support
- Tiny Home Revolution May Not Save Costs
- What does a professional planner do?
- Managing Cultural Heritage Sites
- The Role of Planning in the Climate Change - Discussion for Agriculture
- Who Pays for Infrastructure in Greenfield Land Development?
- Historic Heritage Challenges for Landowners
- The dream of subdividing your land
- Hazardous activities, land contamination and resource consent applications
- Selwyn District Council Changes Urban Allotment Sizes
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan Update
- Minimum car parking requirements to be chopped
- Burning crop stubble on your property?
- Your Rights as an Affected Neighbour: Navigating Development Under the RMA
- Boundary disputes – What are they and how can you resolve them?
- Risks to farmland in the planning framework
- Is it a Wetland or Not?
- Good District Plan provisions save time and money
- Balancing Common Sense and Legal Process under the RMA: Protecting Communities and the Environment
- Our History - How We All Play a Part in its Protection
- Housing Intensification – Not for Everyone Says CCC
- Planning land use to be resilient to natural hazards
- Game changers for housing under the RMA
- Planning Permissions – Resource Consent or Plan Change?
- New Indigenous Biodiversity Legislation Mandates Significant Natural Area Identification
- Changes to Flood Management in Selwyn
- Negotiating with Neighbours Under the RMA
- How Tree Canopies Transform Neighbourhoods and Enhance Lives
- The impact of consent notices when purchasing land
- Changes to Resource Management Planning Signalled in Proposed Legislation
- With increasing density, good design matters
- Indigenous Biodiversity: what does it mean for a farmer?
- Crunch Time For New Freshwater Legislation
- Cross lease titles - an overview
- Planning Rules can Affect Property Value
- Time's up on the RMA
- What to do when you inherit land
- Fundamental Culture Shift in New Zealand Planning Legislation.
- A Practical Guide for District Plan Reviews
- How lizards might affect your new development
- How might Development Contributions affect you?
- A recent Baseline Group project was recognised at the 2022 Canterbury Architecture Awards
- But that’s the way we have always done it!
- The Great Forestry Debate