Mayor calls for bespoke Christchurch approach to intensification

21 September 2022

We are writing to give you another update on the proposed Housing and Business Choice Plan Change (PC14), which the Council decided not to notify at its reconvened meeting last Tuesday.

One of the resolutions made at the meeting was to write to the Minister for the Environment and seek engagement on a bespoke intensification response for Christchurch.   A letter has now been sent, and the Council will be awaiting a response with respect to next steps.

Current rules

The effect of the decision is that the operative District Plan provisions continue to apply in the meantime – the status quo.   This is because the Medium Density Residential Standards only take effect once a plan change containing them is notified.   Applications for building consent and resource consent cannot be processed under the new standards until they have legal effect. 

Heritage Plan Change (PC13)

At last week’s meeting the Council did resolve to approve Plan Change 13 (Heritage) to be notified.   This plan change will have legal effect once notified (alongside the operative District Plan provisions until the plan change decision is made).   There is no date yet for notification of this plan change.

New Tree Canopy Plan Change

At a subsequent Council meeting on 15 September 2022, the Council resolved to notify a plan change relating to Financial Contributions with respect to tree canopy cover.   This plan change has not yet been prepared and will not have immediate effect upon notification.  There is no date yet for notification of this plan change.  

We will continue to provide updates when we have more information.  If you do have any questions in the meantime, please contact the Duty Planner.