North Canterbury News: April 09, 2020

Will Council's Plan Review stop 4.0ha lots?
Are lifestyle blocks athing of
the past?
There isanew District Plan coming, and we expect
major changes to the minimum lot size for rural
subdivisions, in some or most parts of the District.
It is intended for release mid 2020 (around June)
however this may be delayed due to the national
Covid-19 lockdown.
So, if you own 8.0 or more hectares (20 acres) of
rural land in Waimakariri District and you’ve been
considering subdividing, now is the time to have a
chat to your local surveyors, Survus Consultants
about your options.
What is theWaimakariri District
Plan?
The District Plan is the Council’s planning rulebook
and governs how people can build on or develop
land in North Canterbury.
As well as making sure that future development is
sustainable and protects our natural resources for
generations to come, the Plan ensures that new
development meets regulatory requirements like
our National Planning Standards and the Resource
Management Act. It also supports growth in the
region - the Waimakariri District is booming and
needs arobust set of rules to make sure it can
continue to grow well into the future.
The District Plan is reviewed every 10 years to
make sure it’s up to date with the needs of the
community, and current regulations. It’s under
review at the moment, with the updated plan
scheduled for release in mid-2020.
We’ve had a thorough read of the Waimakariri
2048 District Development Strategy -which is the
Council document that underpins the District Plan -
and we expect the new plan to include changes to
the rules and requirements around subdivisions.
What are the currentrules for
rural subdivisions?
The current Waimakariri District Plan allows for
rural subdivision and building, with a lot and
dwelling density of 4.0ha being required (and
certain other criteria).
What are the proposed
changes?
Until the updated Plan isreleased, we won’t know
the full details -but there are strong indications
that the minimum lot size for subdivisions will
increase.
Simply put: it’s likely that if you want to
subdivide, 8.0 hectares (2 x4ha lots) will no
longer be enough -you’ll need alarger piece of
land.
The Waimakariri 2048 District Development
Strategy says;“While lifestyle lots are afeature of
the District and many enjoy the open spaces, the
most frequent comment made during early
community consultation was adesire to restrict
Dan and Craig from Survus Consultants on site discussing aproject.
further subdivision of rural land into lifestyle lots [...]
Based on the feedback received the Council will
explore increasing the minimum rural lot sizes in
parts of the District.”
Council also noted that over the last decade, 73% of
all new rural houses were on lots between 4-4.99
hectares in size and that if this trend continues
more than 3600 new lifestyle lots would be
created by 2048.
What does this mean for you?
If you own 8.0ha or more of rural zoned land, &
have been considering subdivision, don’t waste
time. Mid 2020 is not far away, and the Council
require a fair amount of information to go to
Council in support of asubdivision application.
If you secure your subdivision consent now, it’ll be
valid for five years -sowhile you don’t have to
subdivide straight away you can lock in your
consent before the rules change, and preserve your
slice of rural paradise!
Give our friendly team acall or an email and we
can talk you through the application and consent
process. 0508 SURVUS or hello@survus.co.nz