Latest news with #PlanChange14
The Spinoff
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Spinoff
What Chris Bishop's decision on Plan Change 14 means for Christchurch
Minister of RMA reform Chris Bishop has responded to Christchurch City Council's alternative proposals around its district plan. His decisions have consequences for transport and house prices as the southern city grows. Where will future housing growth in Christchurch go? Will new houses be built on the outskirts of the city, or close to the centre? A decision by RMA reform minister Chris Bishop made earlier this month goes some way to answering these questions. Bishop rejected the majority of changes Christchurch City Council had wanted to make to its district plan (called Plan Change 14), which were an alternative to changes that had been recommended by the city's independent hearings panel in 2024. The council had accepted the majority of the panel's recommendations in December 2024, including building heights of 14 metres in all commercial centres, higher limits in certain areas, higher buildings in walking catchments around shopping centres and removing character protections in some areas. But, the council proposed alternatives for 20 of the changes it did not accept, which had to be approved by the RMA minister. One was having ' sunlight access ' as a factor when considering new housing; essentially saying that because of Christchurch's lower latitude compared to cities in the North Island, buildings shouldn't be allowed to be built as high because they would block sunlight for neighbouring homes. Campaigners against the nationwide building height increase in urban areas used the slogan 'stop daylight robbery'. The council proposed lower heights of buildings in Christchurch than the MDRS (Medium Density Residential Standards) mandates, to make the amount of sun access even. Bishop rejected this alternative request, as well as limits to high-density specifications in the suburbs of Riccarton, Linwood and Hornby, which all have big populations and commercial centres as well as historic housing, and therefore good potential for intensification but also residents with concerns about growth. However, he approved three of the suggestions, including further intensification around designated suburban centres like Barrington in Spreydon. Christchurch City Council had initially rejected the previous government's efforts to make intensification rules consistent across the country through the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) in 2022, wanting a custom approach rather than a national standard. However, despite multiple time extensions, Christchurch eventually had to go through the process of adopting policies 3 and 4 of the NPS-UD, which focus on intensification in urban areas, as well as the MDRS. 'Together, these decisions will enable a greater level of development in and around Christchurch City's urban centres,' said Bishop in a press release announcing his decision. 'This doesn't feel like the best outcome [for our city],' said Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger in a press release responding to Bishop's decision. 'In putting these decisions forward to the government, we obviously wanted to get all of our alternative recommendations approved. So, to only have three of them get the tick is a kick in the guts.' Sara Templeton, a councillor for the Heathcote area who is also running for mayor, said the minister's decision was not unexpected, and now it was time to get on with it. Christchurch needed more housing to accommodate future growth, she said. 'Christchurch is forecast to increase by 30,000 people in the next decade – that's the size of Timaru,' she said. 'We can't keep sprawling onto the productive soils around Christchurch.' Residents associations were supportive of Christchurch City Council having a custom district plan, and disappointed by Bishop's decision. 'If there is a housing supply shortage, it's probably in those sorts of properties in the inner city, which are slowly disappearing,' said Tony Simons, a representative of a group of residents associations, as reported by RNZ. 'What Chris Bishop has decided is to let developers build what they want, pretty much where they want, and that's a shame.' The urbanist group Greater Ōtautahi supported Bishop's decision, saying the changes would allow walkable communities in areas like Riccarton and Papanui; much of the growth is around shopping centres. 'Allowing more homes where people want to live is an important step for the future of Ōtautahi. This means that people are able to live with dignity in a home that is more affordable,' said Greater Ōtautahi chairperson M Grace-Stent in a press release. The whole process raises questions about how local and central government interact, and whether the government is truly embracing 'localism'. 'My preference is for central government to let local gov know the outcomes it wants and hold local government to account for heading in that direction,' Templeton said. This would allow councils like Christchurch to make sure a more 'strategic' approach was adopted as the city intensified housing, ensuring new housing was concentrated in areas where amenities and public transport already existed. 'When we sprawl, it increases rates for residents over time,' said Templeton, who wants transport planning to be aligned with housing intensification. 'Growth in areas without transport means more cars on the outskirts, more driving through neighbourhoods, more traffic at rush hour.' Christchurch City Council hasn't approved the MDRS, and currently has until the end of the year to do so. However, that looks likely to change; a bill revising the current Resource Management Act (RMA) was introduced with a provision that councils could opt out of the MDRS if they had provided for 30 years of housing growth in their district or unitary plans. Followin g Auckland Council's decision not to approve intensification around rapid public transport corridors like the City Rail Link stations, the environment select committee recommended amendments to the bill that would still allow Auckland and Christchurch to opt out of the MDRS, but require them both to follow 'bespoke' processes that would mandate more intensification around urban centres and public transport hubs.
Scoop
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Decisions On Christchurch Intensification Plan
Press Release – New Zealand Government In December 2024, the Council accepted the majority of the Independent Hearings Panels (IHP) recommendations on those parts of Plan Change 14 subject to Policies 3 and 4 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (NPS-UD), Minister … Minister for RMA Reform The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, has today released his decisions on 17 recommendations referred to him by Christchurch City Council on its Intensification Planning Instrument (Plan Change 14). 'In December 2024, the Council accepted the majority of the Independent Hearings Panel's (IHP) recommendations on those parts of Plan Change 14 subject to Policies 3 and 4 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (NPS-UD),' Minister Bishop says. 'These recommendations were incorporated into its district plan. The Council rejected 20 of the IHP's recommendations and referred them, along with its own alternative recommendations, to me for a final decision in early 2025. 'I have carefully considered this matter and taken extensive advice from officials. The law requires that I only consider matters that the IHP could have taken into account when making its recommendations. 'I have made decisions on 17 of the 20 recommendations referred to me by the Council, which relate to a range of issues including qualifying matters, zoning and built form standards. 'Together, these decisions will enable a greater level of development in and around Christchurch City's urban centres as required by Policies 3 and 4 of the NPS-UD. 'I have not made decisions on three recommendations relating to Daresbury House, Antonio Hall and the Piko Residential Character Area. 'I intend to consider these recommendations once the Council has decided on the zoning of these areas. The Council may refer these decisions to me again ahead of deciding on the balance of Plan Change 14. 'I thank the Councillors, the Independent Hearings Panel and Council staff for the work undertaken on the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process so far.' Minister Bishop's decisions, made under Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991, are final and cannot be appealed to the Environment Court. .
Otago Daily Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
'A kick in the guts': Minister has final say on housing density rules for Christchurch
The Government has issued its final decisions on a number of matters referred to it as part of the planning process for greater housing density in Christchurch. Minister for RMA Reform Chris Bishop has given Christchurch City Council his decisions on 20 alternative recommendations put forward by the council for its Housing and Business Choice Plan Change (Plan Change 14). Of those 20 alternative recommendations, Bishop has accepted three and deferred three, meaning the remaining 14 decisions default to the original recommendations made last year by the plan change's Independent Hearings Panel. The decisions take immediate effect. For example, the high-density zoning for Hornby, Riccarton and Linwood will now come in line with the IHP's recommendations. The minister also rejected the council's biggest recommendation, which sought to apply a special city-wide restriction to high-density developments, to provide greater sunlight access than is currently allowed for in Christchurch under the national Medium-Density Residential Standards (MDRS). This was a key concern of the council given its concerns over the shading effects of development on neighbours. Mayor Phil Mauger says the minister's response is incredibly disappointing for our city. 'In putting these decisions forward to the Government, we obviously wanted to get all of our alternative recommendations approved. So, to only have three of them get the tick is a kick in the guts. 'This plan change has been a huge undertaking for our city, and we've said right the way through that we want to get the best outcome we possibly can. This doesn't feel like the best outcome. 'To that end, we'll keep working hard as a council, and there are still major decisions yet to be made when it comes to housing density and planning across much of Christchurch, so watch this space.' To date, the council has only made decisions on Plan Change 14 that relate to policies 3 and 4 of the Government's National Policy Statement on Urban Development, which require greater building development within and around the central city, suburban commercial centres, and planned high-frequency and high-capacity public transport routes. Decisions have also been made on financial contributions for tree canopy cover and select other zonings. That means the council is yet to decide what housing intensification will look like for the rest of the city, which needs to be completed by the Government's deadline of December 12 this year, along with the balance of Plan Change 14's decisions. The Government has also proposed a Bill to modify the Resource Management Act to allow councils to withdraw undecided parts of Intensification Planning Instruments, such as Plan Change 14. That Bill is expected to become law in August and may allow the Council to limit the extent of where MDRS – which allows up to three dwellings of up to three storeys to be developed without resource consent – applies across the city. The council is waiting on further information from the Government's Select Committee on the Bill, which is expected to come later this month. Read the minister's letter here Plan Change 14 alternative recommendations Accepted: An increased building height overlay (to 36m) for the former Stockyards salesyards at 25 Deans Avenue Aligning the High Density Residential zoning for 231 Milton Street and 12 Johnson Street to parcel boundaries Local Centre Intensification Precinct around 8 of the commercial centres across the city e.g. Barrington, Prestons, Wigram. Rejected: Limiting High Density residential zoning around Riccarton, Hornby and Linwood, including any modification of associated height controls Restricting the commercial Town Centre Zone building height and any other modification of standards for Hornby and Linwood Not applying Medium Density Residential zone around the Peer Street Local Centre Changing the zoning for 20 Deans Avenue from Residential Medium Density to Mixed Use zone Greater consideration of Papanui War Memorial Avenues Applying the City Spine qualifying matter Sunlight access qualifying matter Riccarton Bush Interface Area qualifying matter Decreasing the threshold of consent within the Airport Noise Influence Area and removal of the a clause requiring notification clause to Christchurch International Airport. Deferred: Removal of the heritage listing and setting for Antonio Hall (265 Riccarton Road) and Daresbury House Removal of Piko Residential Character Area qualifying matter The Minister will make decisions on the council's remaining three alternative recommendations – related to Daresbury House, Antonio Hall, and the Piko Residential Character Area – after the balance of Plan Change 14 has been decided by the council.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Decisions On Christchurch Intensification Plan
Minister for RMA Reform The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, has today released his decisions on 17 recommendations referred to him by Christchurch City Council on its Intensification Planning Instrument (Plan Change 14). 'In December 2024, the Council accepted the majority of the Independent Hearings Panel's (IHP) recommendations on those parts of Plan Change 14 subject to Policies 3 and 4 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (NPS-UD),' Minister Bishop says. 'These recommendations were incorporated into its district plan. The Council rejected 20 of the IHP's recommendations and referred them, along with its own alternative recommendations, to me for a final decision in early 2025. 'I have carefully considered this matter and taken extensive advice from officials. The law requires that I only consider matters that the IHP could have taken into account when making its recommendations. 'I have made decisions on 17 of the 20 recommendations referred to me by the Council, which relate to a range of issues including qualifying matters, zoning and built form standards. 'Together, these decisions will enable a greater level of development in and around Christchurch City's urban centres as required by Policies 3 and 4 of the NPS-UD. 'I have not made decisions on three recommendations relating to Daresbury House, Antonio Hall and the Piko Residential Character Area. 'I intend to consider these recommendations once the Council has decided on the zoning of these areas. The Council may refer these decisions to me again ahead of deciding on the balance of Plan Change 14. 'I thank the Councillors, the Independent Hearings Panel and Council staff for the work undertaken on the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process so far.' Minister Bishop's decisions, made under Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991, are final and cannot be appealed to the Environment Court. A table outlining the decisions is attached here. Policies 3 and 4 of the NPS-UD are set out on page 11 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020. The Minister's decision making process is set out in Section 105, Schedule 1 of the RMA: .
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Christchurch council has until end of year to sort out housing density plan
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop has told Christchurch City Council it has until the end of this year to decide on its housing intensification rules across the city. Bishop has formally declined granting an extension to the council's current December 12, 2025, deadline for the remainder of its Housing and Business Choice Plan Change (Plan Change 14) decisions. The council had sought an extension until September 30, 2026, in light of the Government's proposed Bill to modify the Resource Management Act to allow councils to withdraw undecided parts of Intensification Planning Instruments such as Plan Change 14. That Bill is expected to become law in August. Mayor Phil Mauger says the minister's reply to the council was disappointing. 'An extension from the Minister would've meant more time to weigh up whether we want to opt out of further housing intensification and, if so, to go through the proper steps to decide as a council and to apply for that with the Government. 'As it stands now, our ability to do that by December is up in the air, and we'll need to await further information from the Government's Select Committee on the Bill next month to figure out if we can still make an informed decision in time about whether or not to proceed with parts of Plan Change 14.' A staff report prepared for councillors last month said the council would not be able to evaluate its options until the modified RMA came into effect. Once in effect, the process to consider options, meet any evaluative requirements and seek the approval of the minister was certain to push beyond the current December 12, 2025, deadline, it said. To date, the council has only made decisions on Plan Change 14 that relate to policies 3 and 4 of the Government's National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD), which require greater building development within and around the central city, suburban commercial centres, and planned high-frequency and high-capacity public transport routes. In March last year, Minister Chris Bishop approved the council's request for a time extension to parts of Plan Change 14, specifically those that relate to the Government's Medium-Density Residential Standards (MDRS) being applied beyond areas defined in the NPS-UD, meaning the Council is yet to decide what housing intensification will look like for the remainder of the city. MDRS was proposed to apply across all urban Christchurch, but the opt-out process proposed by the Government may allow the Council to limit the extent of where it applies. Under MDRS, up to three dwellings of up to three storeys can be developed on a property without needing to apply for a resource consent if all other rules have been met. Chris Bishop's letter to Christchurch City Council
