Description
SAM 10 is located to the north-east of the city centre in Richmond, and covers a substantial part of the suburb. Dudley Creek, a tributary of the River Avon/Otakaro meanders through the SAM.
The Slater/Poulton area is a SAM primarily because of the relative consistency of the houses, in terms of architectural style and the distance they are setback from the street. The houses were constructed from the early 1920s through to the 1940s and are largely bungalows with pitched roofs, both hipped and gabled. The original materials were corrugated iron or tiled roofing, timber weatherboard walls and occasionally areas of shingle within the gables. Most of the dwellings contain at least one large timber bay window facing the street and access is generally through a combined vehicle pedestrian driveway. Good visual interaction from the houses and the street is achieved through the combination of large front windows, and low or no fencing at the street boundary. Front yards are generally substantial with lawns and varying amounts of vegetation including large trees and shrubs.
SAM 10 also has, within its boundary a group of listed former state houses on Chancellor Street, recognising the historical importance of the area.
Designing within this character
New buildings in SAM 10 should be designed to work with this character. When designing new buildings consideration should be given to the orientation of adjoining buildings and the distance they are set back from the front boundary. Strong simple forms for the overall building shape that are similar in scale and height to the existing buildings should be used.
A similar amount of surface texture and ornamentation should be used, but need not imitate the features of the existing buildings. Instead attention should be paid to how these features add to the character of the area, and how a current method might be used to achieve this. Consideration should also be given to the way that the existing buildings, and their windows, doors and porches face the street.
Fences and walls can have quite an impact on the street scene. If a fence is required choose the materials and the height of the fence carefully. Consider alternatives to fencing, such as hedges, as a way to introduce a softer element to the street scene.
Additionally, the placement of garages in the front yard can be visually detrimental and should be avoided.
City Plan rules
SAM 10 is in a Living 1 zone in the Christchurch City Plan. The Plan contains a set of rules that regulate the way sites can be developed. A modification has been made to the standard Living 1 rules, to acknowledge the area as having special qualities that should be retained. It is:
- Road setback (Street scene) - road setback is the distance that a building must be set back from the front boundary. Buildings are required to be set back at least 6m because of the impact that the proximity of buildings to the street has on the overall character of the street.
If you are considering altering a building in SAM 10, or building anew, and you need a Resource Consent, it is recommended that you seek advice from the Urban Design – Strategy and Planning Group of the Christchurch City Council, before submitting your application.
Protected buildings, places and objects
A - 66 Chancellor Street - 1911 wooden villa former state house
B - 70 Chancellor Street - 1911 wooden villa former state house
C - 72 Chancellor Street - 1911 wooden villa former state house
Date: February 2002
