Protecting suburban character from infill housing
April 17, 2003

North Shore City Council recognises the need to identify and protect suburbs that have a strong cohesive character, and to prevent their erosion by infill housing.

Suburban character can be lost by infill development and the council wants to ensure that areas which are highly valued by local communities are protected in the future.

Existing 'special character' zones include semi-rural and heritage areas, and urban areas that are near native bush, streams or the coast. North Shore City Council will consult with communities to identify additional character areas. It will consider physical elements such as natural features, streetscape and public open space that contribute to an area's character, as well as spaciousness, cultural values and settlement patterns that have emerged.

The council will also examine threats that are posed by infill development and review the current controls in its District Plan. Consultation with the local community will be carried out before any changes are made.

North Shore City's strategy and finance committee chairperson, Tony Holman, says community input is needed to identify additional suburban character areas and look at ways to protect them.

"Councillors have various ideas about relevant concerns and possible answers, but need to hear directly what the public's perceptions and ideas are," says Councillor Holman.

"We live in a beautiful city and it must be preserved so that the community and future generations can enjoy its high quality environment."

Tony Holman says the review is one of a range of projects outlined in the council's City Blueprint Action Plan designed to meet the challenges of growth and change.

"We've already looking at what impact infill development has on the city's stormwater network and its streams and we will combine and co-ordinate the process where possible."

A further review of infill development impacts on the wastewater (sewerage) network is also planned.

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