Rural Residential Land Use Strategy - Palmerston North City Council

Landscape and Heritage
• Consider landscape character and heritage values, not only where it should
occur, but also what landscape, heritage and ecological considerations should
apply to development. A range of policy responses may be considered to
address these planning matters from active prevention of development, limited
controlled development, through to less restrictive development in particular
areas. The Palmerston North Landscape Inventory (2011) identifies the City’s
Landscape Units, character and values and is a key reference document.
• Consider effects of rural residential development on areas/features of
particularly high landscape character (e.g. Outstanding Natural Features or
Outstanding Natural Landscapes 24 ). It is important to note that this principle
is not just about protecting high value landscapes, it is also about maintaining
and enhancing other amenity landscapes so all development decisions need to
be based on a clear understanding of the effect of development on landscape
values.
• Give special consideration to landscape values along high volume traffic routes
e.g. SH 56 and 57. Viewing lines from these highways should be considered
when planning for rural residential development.
• Heritage: Development planning and decisions need to take account of
potential effects of rural residential development on historic heritage, sites and
features. Such sites and features should be identified and the appropriate level
of protection determined before development decisions are finalised.
• Sometimes cultural heritage values are not well known or understood (e.g.
‘silent files’ are sometimes used by iwi as a way of protecting sites). Development
planning and decisions therefore need to be made in consultation with iwi.
Infrastructure/Servicing
• Presumption of self-servicing for all rural-residential areas and new subdivisions.
Limit unplanned extensions to the water and wastewater networks which
bring additional costs, requests for further connections and reduce network
efficiencies.
• Increase consent applicant’s burden of proof regarding future operation of onsite
wastewater systems to ensure performance and positive environmental
outcomes.
• Consider adequacy and design of infrastructure such as stormwater, pipes and
culverts, in view of the impacts of climate change.
• Give effect to the Horizons Regional Council One Plan requirements for
domestic on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems.
• Consider the adequacy of on-site reticulated water supply systems, in terms of
the both the standards of water supply and access by the NZ Fire Service, in
order to enable effective response to a fire emergency.
• Increase consent applicant’s burden of proof in terms of demonstrating that
an appropriate and timely supply of electricity can be achieved to the new
development.
24 ONF’s and ONL’s are defined in the Horizons Regional Council One Plan.
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RURAL RESIDENTIAL LAND USE STRATEGY [ Development Principles for Rural Residential Development ]