A subdivision in northeast Rangiora, Bellgrove, has accelerated for development, while a request to amend a private plan for a 155.9-acre development in Ohoka has been notified.
A clearance committee appointed by the Environmental Protection Agency has granted conditional clearance to Bellgrove Rangiora Ltd.
The Waimakariri district council applied to the environment minister in November last year to accelerate the development of Bellgrove, based on much-needed housing and employment opportunities in the fast-growing district.
The application was made under the Covid-19 Recovery Fast-track Consenting Act 2020, after public consultation and agreement from the developer, Bellgrove Rangiora Ltd.
The proposed development is north of Kippenberger Ave and straddles the Cam River.
The site is one of the future development areas identified in the Our Space 2018-2048: Greater Christchurch Settlement Pattern Update,
prepared in 2018.
It is proposed to initially split a 20.8 hectare site and build 209 sections, a neighborhood shopping center, open spaces, restore ecological areas and develop infrastructure including roads, parking lots and three water supplies.
The entire development is over 63 ha and could be as many as 1100 sections in total to be developed over five phases.
Meanwhile, the Waimakariri District Council has filed a request to amend a private plan from Rolleston Industrial Developments Ltd for a proposed 850 house, a 155.9 acre subdivision between Whites and Bradleys Roads in Ohoka.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the proposed subdivision had not been “initiated” or “anticipated” by the council.
“The council will make a decision in the coming weeks on whether or not to submit a view and we will appoint someone who will provide independent advice.”
District Plan Manager Matt Bacon said residents had 20 business days to submit an entry.
Once the staff has considered these submissions, they will be notified, with an additional 10 business days for feedback before the hearings are held.
The municipality has chosen to appoint a ”friend of the petitioners” to assist residents in submitting their views.
The proposed Ohoka subdivision was not identified for development in the Our Space document.
But the developer argued in the application that the proposal is “generally in line with the objectives and policies of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development.”
Greenfield areas were normally developed near an existing city, where there was existing infrastructure, Mr Bacon said.
He said the plan change process will consider service delivery as part of a merit-based assessment.
“All new residential areas must be fully supplied with water and waste water.
“The general principle is that the developer would pay for it and get it back through development contributions on the sections.”
The proposed development also includes approximately 6,000 square meters of commercial floor space and parking spaces, and includes a new school or retirement home.
-By David Hill
Local Democracy Reporter