The Hurunui is to receive an update to its planning rules after a new District Plan was adopted at the council meeting today.

A District Plan sets out a territorial authority’s planning rules. These rules control land use and contain specifications on such things as the number of dwellings allowed on a site; height, location and setback of buildings and the permitted activities in different zones.

Regulatory Services Manager Judith Batchelor says the adoption of the new Plan is worth celebrating, because it comes as a result of years of hard work and consultation with the community.

“The District Plan, which governs the way the district looks and feels and directs the development of our towns, is such an important document and therefore the process of formulating a new one is lengthy and complex.”

“We’re pleased with the updates the new plan brings, such as the more flexible approach to subdivision size for the Rural Zone and an update to the natural hazard information, which will have a positive influence on the district’s continued growth,” says Batchelor.

Other key changes from the previous District Plan include the layout of the document which has been simplified into chapters which relate to various topics, and a new requirement for dedicated firefighting water for new dwellings in the Rural Zone.

Mayor Winton Dalley says the adoption of the new Plan is a significant milestone for the council and the district.

“We as a community have been on a substantial journey to get to a point where we are signing off on a new document. This has included a lot of people external to the council who have played an important role and I would like to thank to them for their valued input into the process.”

The plan will replace the previous version and become operative on 21 June, following formal public notification.

The council is now using an electronic version of the District Plan and this is available for anyone to view on the council’s website.

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