Rural-Residential Land Use Strategy Discussion Document - May

Glossary
Ancillary Buildings – Means a building not being part of the principal building, the use of which is
incidental to that of another building or buildings on the site. In the case of a site on which no building
has been erected, it is a building incidental to the use of the principal building permitted on the site.
This includes a garage, carport, tool shed, playroom, recreation room, glasshouse, swimming pool, spa
pool and sleepout.
Cadastral pattern – A technical term associated with land survey and the subdivisions process and which
also describes the size, location and layout of lots and general form of development which emerges
through the process of land development.
Density - A term that describes the intensity of building on a particular site or in a particular zone, as
defined within the District Plan. For example, in the Rural Zone, the density of development is primarily
controlled through the minimum lot size rule.
Development capacity - The permitted number of household lots/dwellings that a site or an area is able
to accommodate at current densities (intensity), as defined within the District Plan.
Development criteria - Criteria used to assess the suitability of development, generally in terms of its
effects on the environment, and compliance with objectives, policies and rules of the District Plan.
Development pattern - The subdivisional and land use pattern (or activities) taking place in an area or
location.
Farmparks or ecoparks - A specifically designed farm (or forest park) within rural areas where the
design of the allotments and dwelling sites are each individually located to ensure the least impact on
the rural environment and rural landscape values.
Fragmentation - In the context of rural landuse, fragmentation means the breaking up of contiguous
rural land into disconnected or discontinous parcels. Fragmenation can be caused by land subdivision
and subsequent development including, housing, roading, powerlines and planting.
Greenfield - New urban development on land not previously built on that is usually, but not always rural
land.
High class soils / elite soils/versatile soils - Fertile soils that are capable of supporting a wide range of
crops and other plants. Typically they are deep, loamy, have good drainage and are relatively flat.
Household - Defined as one person usually living alone, or two or more people usually living together
and sharing facilities in a private dwelling (e.g cooking facilities, bathroom and toilet facilities, and living
areas).
Infill subdivision or residential infill - Means the splitting of an existing section into two or more
allotments (lots) usually for the purpose of building another dwelling(s).
Intensification – Means subdivision, use and/or redevelopment of areas within developed urban areas,
to promote a more consolidated or concentrated form of development.
Intensive Farming – Means the production of plant and animal produce, where the predominant
productive processes are carried out within buildings. It includes, but is not limited to, poultry farming
(where more than 50 poultry are farmed), intensive feedlot farming, fitch farming, rabbit farming, and
mushroom production. It does not include domestic pig farming, glasshouse horticulture or hydroponic
growing of plants.
Landbank - Specific blocks of land that are zoned for development. This term is often used in relation
to growth forecasts and monitoring the uptake of residential and industrial zoned land.
Lot and allotment - As per the definition of “Allotment” in Section 218(2) of the Resource Management
Act, including: any parcel of land under the Land Transfer Act 1952 that is a continuous area and whose
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