Resource Consents Update – September 2024

Lighting Plans

Resource consent applications for multi-unit residential developments need to address the Residential Design Principles, which include provision for good visibility with effective lighting and other Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles. We recommend that, for multi-unit or large-scale residential development proposals, exterior lighting is considered early in the design process. This will ensure that lighting can be provided to shared or common areas – including pedestrian accessways, car parks, bike and bin storage, and communal open spaces – and that there is sufficient space for the lighting plan to be installed.

Where a lighting plan is required, this must be prepared by a qualified lighting designer. Where required as a condition of a resource consent, the lighting plan will need to be provided prior to lodgement of your building consent.

We’ve updated the Lighting Plan information on our website to provide some additional guidance, including requirements where solar lighting is proposed. 

Subdivision engineering plan acceptance and landscape approvals

A number of problems are cropping up at the engineering plan acceptance stage due to engineering plans and landscape plans being prepared and submitted independently of each other. Engineering works can constrain and compromise the intended purpose of landscaping along roads and in reserves if these aren’t taken into account at the outset.

Our Landscape Approval team is finding that non-compliance with consent conditions and quality requirements relating to landscape works and street trees is delaying landscape plan approvals. This can result in costs and delays for the developer when nearing the engineering clearance and s224 certification stage.  

To resolve these issues, we’re changing our internal processes at the engineering plan acceptance stage. When engineering design plans/reports are submitted, the subdivision engineer will now send them to our Landscape Approval team to check that plans and design reports cater for appropriate landscaping spaces within the roads and reserves, in accordance with the consent conditions.

The Landscape Approval team will confirm within 10 working days whether the structural elements of the engineering plans allow for the required landscaping. If not, then this will need to be addressed before the engineering plans can be accepted. 

The detailed landscaping plans can follow the engineering design phase. However, the engineering plans should not prevent the satisfaction of the consent conditions relating to landscape works and street trees.

Please ensure that engineering design takes into account required landscaping before plans are submitted. Comprehensive information on our requirements for landscape approvals is available on our website.

A few reminders about matters which often lead to delays 

Compatibility with engineering designs

• Engineering designs must allow for landscaping to be constructed and successful (IDS part 10).  
• We recommend developers engage a registered landscape architect, with experience working on subdivision developments, as early as scheme design stage, to ensure that engineering and earthworks designs are compatible with landscaping.  
• Even if engineering designs are approved, amendments and further civil works may be necessary if they have not allowed for required landscaping to be constructed or successful. 

Compliant landscape plans and design reports

• Designers must have both experience and qualifications that are relevant to the scope of the project.
• Landscape plans and reports that are submitted for acceptance must comply with all consent conditions, as well as the IDS, CSS, Waterways, Wetlands and Drainage Guide and any other specified documents.  
• Designers should check plans and design reports to ensure accuracy and compliance prior to submitting them to the Council for acceptance.  

Quality assurance

• Quality assurance requirements are outlined in parts 3 and 10 of the IDS and must be implemented from design through to construction and establishment until handover of assets to the Council. 
• It is the developer’s responsibility to manage their own quality assurance and contracts, and to ensure that their agents and contractors are complying with the Council’s requirements.
• All landscaping on land to be vested must be constructed and established in accordance with accepted landscape plans and the Council’s quality requirements, including comprehensive monthly reporting.

Questions about this information? Please email us at landscape.approval@ccc.govt.nz

Keep in touch

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

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