Proposed Selwyn District Plan – Opportunity for submissions seeking rezoning (prior to 11
December)
The Proposed Selwyn District Plan (Proposed Plan) was notified on 5 October. It sets out the environmental outcomes and rules for development within the District for the next 10-15 years.
The Proposed Plan does not zone any additional land for urban development, notwithstanding the new National Policy Statement - Urban Development which requires Councils to be responsive to development proposals which supply significant additional development capacity (further explained below). The Council has indicated it will rely on submitters to put forward proposals for urban re-zoning i.e. a developer lead approach.
The Proposed Plan does not zone any additional land for urban development, notwithstanding the new National Policy Statement - Urban Development which requires Councils to be responsive to development proposals which supply significant additional development capacity (further explained below). The Council has indicated it will rely on submitters to put forward proposals for urban re-zoning i.e. a developer lead approach.
So – NOW is the opportunity to request additional zoning, or other changes which will enhance
and/or protect your property and environmental interests. Submissions must be lodged by 11
December.
and/or protect your property and environmental interests. Submissions must be lodged by 11
December.
How we can help
Please feel free to contact us if you would like further information or advice on how the Proposed
Selwyn District Plan may affect you, or if you wish us to make a submission on your behalf. Given the limited timeframe for submissions – don’t delay!!!
You may have property or environmental interests outside the Selwyn District. We will be very
happy to provide further advice and information on how the NPS-UD may affect you. The Proposed
Waimakariri District Plan will be notified in approximately March 2021, and will provide an
equivalent opportunity for submissions.
We explain the NPS-UD and implications for Greater Christchurch in more detail below.
Selwyn District Plan may affect you, or if you wish us to make a submission on your behalf. Given the limited timeframe for submissions – don’t delay!!!
You may have property or environmental interests outside the Selwyn District. We will be very
happy to provide further advice and information on how the NPS-UD may affect you. The Proposed
Waimakariri District Plan will be notified in approximately March 2021, and will provide an
equivalent opportunity for submissions.
We explain the NPS-UD and implications for Greater Christchurch in more detail below.
National Policy Statement – Urban Development
The NPS-UD 2020 is part of the Government’s response to the housing affordability crisis. It requires Councils to ensure that their plans make room for growth both ‘up’ and ‘out’, and that rules are not unnecessarily constraining growth.
Councils must be ‘responsive’ to plan changes which supply significant additional housing and
business development capacity even where located outside identified future growth areas in existing
planning documents. Such proposals should contribute to well functioning urban environments and
generally be in locations which are well connected to jobs and urban amenities (shops, schools etc.)
including by existing or possible public transport.
Within existing urban areas, plans must enable housing development which is at least six storeys
high where within, or within walking distance of, city and metropolitan centre zones and existing or
planned rapid transit stops.
Councils must be ‘responsive’ to plan changes which supply significant additional housing and
business development capacity even where located outside identified future growth areas in existing
planning documents. Such proposals should contribute to well functioning urban environments and
generally be in locations which are well connected to jobs and urban amenities (shops, schools etc.)
including by existing or possible public transport.
Within existing urban areas, plans must enable housing development which is at least six storeys
high where within, or within walking distance of, city and metropolitan centre zones and existing or
planned rapid transit stops.
Implications for Greater Christchurch
Currently a hard and fast, immovable urban/rural boundary line applies to Greater Christchurch – as
set in the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement. This approach to urban growth is inconsistent with
the NPS-UD and cannot continue. The NPS-UD ‘opens the door’ for urban growth proposals to be
considered by district councils on their merits.
set in the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement. This approach to urban growth is inconsistent with
the NPS-UD and cannot continue. The NPS-UD ‘opens the door’ for urban growth proposals to be
considered by district councils on their merits.