Description
SAM 41 lies to the north of Hagley Park and to the south of Innes Road. It covers the length of Naseby Street from Rugby Street to Merivale Lane.
The area is considered notable because of large and well landscaped sites, large grass berms, and the regular distance that the houses are set back from the street. There are a few two storey wooden villas that were constructed in the early part of the twentieth century. The original building materials in the SAM were corrugated metal roofs, brick chimneys, timber windows and painted horizontal timber weatherboards. However, the character has to some extent been eroded by the addition of high fences, garages in front yards and some later infill dwellings, reducing the interconnection between the houses and gardens and the street.
Designing within this character
New buildings in SAM 41 should be designed to work with the existing character, rather than imitate it. The use of building shapes and forms that are similar in scale and height to the existing buildings will help maintain this character.
When designing new buildings, consider the orientation of adjoining buildings and the distance they are set back from the road boundary.
Also consider the way that any new building relates to the street, particularly through the placement of windows, balconies and verandas. Appropriate vegetation and landscaping should be used to ensure that visual connection between the houses and the street is achieved, while still maintaining privacy. If fencing is to be considered, choose the style, materials and height of the fence carefully in combination with boundary planting. Alternatives to fencing such as hedges could be considered. 'Thinking about Fencing' - a guide to fencing alternatives is available free from the City Council.
Additionally, the placement of garages in the front yard can be visually detrimental and is best avoided.
City Plan rules
SAM 41 is in a Living 2 zone in the City Plan. The Plan contains a set of rules that regulate the way sites can be developed. There is one rule additional to the standard Living 2 rules that applies to SAM 41, to acknowledge the area as having special qualities that should be retained. That 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 6 metres because of the impact that the buildings and their proximity to the street has on the overall character of the street.
If you are considering altering a building in SAM 41, 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.
Date: October 2004
