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
- What to do when you inherit land
- Balancing Common Sense and Legal Process under the RMA: Protecting Communities and the Environment
- Planning land use to be resilient to natural hazards
- Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes - effect on farming
- Burning crop stubble on your property?
- The costs of subdividing hitting Selwyn | development contributions
- Planning Rules can Affect Property Value
- Commercial Activity in a Rural Zone – What’s the Harm?
- Negotiating with Neighbours Under the RMA
- Why we have complicated septic tank disposal rules
- With increasing density, good design matters
- Risks to farmland in the planning framework
- The Role of Planning in Land and Property Development
- District Plan in Selwyn – How will it Affect You?
- The dream of subdividing your land
- How Tree Canopies Transform Neighbourhoods and Enhance Lives
- Is it a Wetland or Not?
- The Role of Planning in the Climate Change - Discussion for Agriculture
- Managing Cultural Heritage Sites
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan - What next?
- The impact of consent notices when purchasing land
- Flood Management | Changes in Selwyn
- Indigenous Biodiversity: what does it mean for a farmer?
- Rivers, Lakes and Coastline, Public Space for All
- Confused by Environmental Legislation? You are Not Alone.
- What does The Selwyn District Plan (appeals version) mean for the planning process and consent?
- Spotlight on District Plan Provisions
- Historic Heritage Challenges for Landowners
- Housing Growth continues in Selwyn with Legislative Support
- Fundamental Culture Shift in New Zealand Planning Legislation.
- State highways, noise and reverse sensitivity: what’s the buzz?
- Minimum car parking requirements to be chopped
- The National Policy Statement for Natural Hazard Decision-Making and its effects on Resource Consents
- Minimum Car Parking Requirements to be Chopped
- Managing Wastewater in Rural Canterbury: A Guide for Property Owners
- But that’s the way we have always done it!
- Changes to Resource Management Planning Signalled in Proposed Legislation
- A Practical Guide for District Plan Reviews
- Rural Allotment Sizes set to Double
- Who Pays for Infrastructure in Greenfield Land Development?
- Crunch Time For New Freshwater Legislation
- Change isn't coming, it's here!
- The importance of knowing your boundaries
- Hazardous activities, land contamination and resource consent applications
- Wild Weather and Resource Consent Requirements
- Selwyn District Council Changes Urban Allotment Sizes
- The rise or fall of rural lifestyle blocks in the Selwyn District?
- Cross lease titles - an overview
- Flood Management – An Update
- Land Development opportunities and times of change
- Councils are Increasing Residential Density, but why, who does it benefit?
- Tiny Home Revolution May Not Save Costs
- How to navigate Rural Land Development Under the National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Soils
- Who Shapes our Planning Rules?
- How might Development Contributions affect you?
- Good District Plan provisions save time and money
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- What does an activity status mean for your land development?
- Navigating New Opportunities: The Importance of Land Development Planning in 2024
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan Update
- Time matters – With Resource Consent
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- Make Your Additional Land Profitable Under the Selwyn Proposed Plan
- How lizards might affect your new development
- New Indigenous Biodiversity Legislation Mandates Significant Natural Area Identification
- RMA changes are coming, are you ready?
- Game changers for housing under the RMA
- Housing Intensification – Not for Everyone Says CCC
- Planning Permissions – Resource Consent or Plan Change?
- A recent Baseline Group project was recognised at the 2022 Canterbury Architecture Awards
- The Great Forestry Debate
- What does a professional planner do?
- Boundary disputes – What are they and how can you resolve them?
- Is the RMA really the problem?
- Have your say on Development Projects
- Importance of Sediment Management in Land Development Projects: Simple Techniques for Effective Sediment Runoff Control
- Your Rights as an Affected Neighbour: Navigating Development Under the RMA
- Rural allotment sizes set to double in West Selwyn
- Our History - How We All Play a Part in its Protection
- Buildings under exemptions may still need resource consent
- Time's up on the RMA