Plan changes 13 and 14

23 February 2023

In this update we explain when and how the provisions of plan changes 13 and 14 (PC13 and PC14) will apply to development proposals. There have been significant changes regarding PC14 since our previous newsletter in August last year.

Draft PC14, which includes the new Medium-Density Residential Standards (MDRS), and Draft PC13 will be considered for notification by the Council at its meeting on 1 March 2023. If approved, both plan changes will be notified on 17 March.

The draft plan changes are now available online in the Council meeting agenda. You can also read our Newsline story about the upcoming decision.

PC13 Heritage

PC13 identifies new Residential Heritage Areas to protect heritage values within some neighbourhoods, and also adds a number of buildings and items to the heritage schedule. The rules in PC13 will have immediate legal effect from the date of notification (as required by s86B(3)(d) RMA). 

The operative District Plan provisions will also remain in effect until decisions on the plan change have been made and notified, unless particular provisions reach the point where they are beyond challenge (e.g. no submissions received on them). 

In the meantime, development proposals must comply with the heritage rules in both the operative District Plan and PC13, or a resource consent will be needed.

PC14 Housing and Business Choice

PC14 includes residential intensification objectives, policies and rules incorporating MDRS, along with qualifying-matter areas where the rules will not apply and the level of intensification is restricted. 

The MDRS rules will not have any legal effect until decisions on the plan change have been made and notified (by March 2024). This is because a new city-wide qualifying matter is proposed to allow sunlight access via an alternative recession plane. Until that matter is decided on, as well as other qualifying matters in PC14, the MDRS rules can’t take effect (as per s86BA(1) RMA). None of the other rules proposed in PC14 can take effect initially either. 

In the meantime, the current District Plan rules will continue to apply to all properties.   

Webinar recordings available

You can watch a recording of the update webinars held on 16 February and also download the presentation.

Keep in touch 

If you have any questions about your resource consent applications, please get in touch with us at CCCResourceconsentapplications@ccc.govt.nz

For general enquiries, please email dutyplanner@ccc.govt.nz or call 941 8999.