What is the City or District Plan?
The Christchurch City District Plan (The 'City Plan') is a document prepared under the Resource Management Act 1991. The purpose of the City Plan is to provide a framework for the management of land use and subdivision within the City. For example, it defines areas (zones) for residential or industrial activities, each with their own set of rules. It defines areas of urban growth, and detailed matters such as the height of buildings.
The Banks Peninsula District Plan (The 'District Plan') is a formal legal document which is prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Resource Management Act 1991. The Resource Management Act gives the District Council the responsibility to prepare a District Plan. The District Plan is aimed at achieving the purpose of the Act which is set out under Section 5 of the Act. It is: "...to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources".
Where can I view or purchase the Christchurch City Plan?
The City Plan is available online to view.
The paper version of the City Plan is available for viewing at all Council service centres and the following public libraries:
South Christchurch
Bishopdale
- New Brighton
Parklands
Redwood
Spreydon
It may be purchased from the Strategy and Planning Group – District Planning Team. Updates will be made available periodically incorporating any variations, plan changes or Council decisions notified since the release of the updated plan on 21 November 2005.
How much does a set of the Christchurch City Plan cost? (Prices include GST)
- Complete reprint of plan dated November 2009 - $150
- Replacement Pages dated 31 March 2010 - $36
- Replacement pages dated 30 June 2010 - $35
Under the Christchurch City Plan, what is a 'living' or 'residential' zone?
Christchurch City (Under the Christchurch City Plan) is divided into specific zones that only allow certain activities or land uses.
The living or residential zones provide for residential use, and some home occupations. There is some provision for community uses, such as pre schools, health practitioners, and traveller's accommodation but the rules vary in different zones. Check the City Plan for details.
One of the main differences between zones is the type of housing development that can occur.
The following guidelines refer to the City Plan.
In the Living H Zone, one unit/dwelling is permitted on a minimum land area of 650 squared metres. This zone covers the residential areas of the Port Hills.
In the Living 1 Zone low density development is anticipated. One unit/dwelling is permitted on a minimum net land area of 450m2. A feature of this zone is the large amount of open space required - the site coverage is a maximum of 35 per cent or 40 per cent depending on the building height. These zones are generally located in the outer suburban areas.
In the Living 2 Zone low to medium density development is anticpated. One unit/dwelling is permitted on a minimum of land area of 330m2. This zone is located closer to the central city area or suburban centres and has a lesser amount of open space required than Living 1 - the site coverage is 40 per cent or 45 per cent depending on building height.
The Living 3 Zone allows for the 'town house' type of development to medium densities. The minimum allotment size is 300m2 for vacant sites, however there is no required maximum number of units per site. Calculations are based on a ratio of floor area to land area. For residential development a residential floor area ratio of up to 0.8 is allowed.
The Living 4 Zones allow for high-density, predominantly residential development and are located mainly within the 'four avenues'. The residential floor area ratios are:
1.2 for L4A
1.4 for L4B
1.2 for L4C.
Again, much depends on the design of the units.
What is the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS) ?
View the complete website, explaining the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy.
The UDS is a long-term planning project aimed at managing Greater Christchurch’s growing population while also focusing on making strong communities by working on those common issues that arise from urban growth. The Strategy is now in the implementation phase, and the majority of the 182 actions contained within the Strategy are being progressed by the partners.
What is the biggest issue facing Greater Christchurch?
The biggest issue is how to accommodate the expected 135,000 more people in the next 35 years. Where people choose to live also has flow-on effects, for example, where people live might dictate where they work, where their children are educated, how they might travel and shop, how they might use community services and facilities. We plan for these while also providing open space for recreation and enhancing and protecting environmental quality. We also aim to improve for Greater Christchurch how people get around, movement by road and by public transport but importantly also by bike or on foot.
How will the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy address issues?
The Strategy was launched by the Prime Minister in June 2007. It contains 182 actions aimed at addressing issues that will help develop a more consolidated growth pattern and with improved quality of life. The Strategy is a partnership between Environment Canterbury, Selwyn and Waimakariri District Councils, Christchurch City Council and The NZ Transport Agency. It sets out the community aspirations, told through the extensive consultation process held in 2005. Through a set of agreed actions and a framework about how the Strategy will be managed, it sets out the settlement pattern, the key approaches and actions required to ensure the option chosen by the community is met. The top twenty priority actions are now well underway.
A joint committee made up of Councillors and the Mayors of the partner Councils oversee the project. They meet bimonthly and all meetings are open to the public.
A Strategic Partners Forum made up of Government Departments, academia and community organisations also meet bimonthly, this group looks at specific issues and performs a community audit role. This too, is open to the public.
What is a Variation?
A Variation is an amendment to a Proposed City or District Plan.
Unlike a resource consent, a Variation may change the objectives, policies or rules for instance; in the City Plan.
The Council is required to publicly notify a Variation, and the public have rights of submission and ultimately appeal to the Environment Court within specified timeframes.
What is the difference between business zones & where can I locate my business?
Under the Christchurch City Plan, the Central City Zone provides the principal focus for commercial, cultural, administrative and tourist activities with a particular focus on retail and office activities. The Central City Edge zone is a mixed use zone including a continuation of existing business activities and new activities such as medium-high density residential development and other complementary activities.
Business 1 and 2 Zones are generally located in suburban shopping areas and include a variety of offices (banks, health practitioners, law firms, etc), retail shops (corner dairies to malls) and other small businesses and community facilities. The general purpose of these zones is to provide for local needs. The Business 2P Zone is intended to secure parking provision for these local areas and to act as a buffer for residential areas.
Business 3, 4, 5 and 6 Zones provide for industrial and servicing activities and are generally located away from residential areas. The Business 3B Zone, where small scale industrial use is provided for, acts as a buffer between these zones.
The Business 3, 3B and 4 Zones permit some retail though limitations have been placed on the amount of general retail activity in these zones. In the Business 4P, 5 and 6 Zones retail is limited to up to 20 per cent of the net floor area on the site used to produce, process or store those goods being retailed. Any retailing proposed in these zones should be confirmed with a planner.
Office use is permitted in the central city zones (with size limitations in the central city edge zone), the retail park zone and the business 1, 2, 3B, 4, and 4T Zones, in the other industrial business zones it must be in association with the business activity on site.
The Business RP (Retail Park) Zone recognises the marked trend toward large format retail and trade supply outlets. and provides for large format, single tenancy stores.
