Belfast Park Plan Change mediation and appeal

Environment Canterbury commissioners agreed to appeal a part of a private plan change promoted by Belfast Park and Tyrone Estates, recently approved by the Christchurch City Council, but to pursue mediation as a first step.

The 64 hectare Belfast greenfield site is being rezoned for mixed density residential development and includes a riparian plan to help restore the nearby Kaputone Stream.

At today’s Regional Council meeting, planning staff noted that the decision on the greenfield land was largely consistent with Change 1 to the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) and the multi-council Urban Development Strategy (UDS).

However, there were concerns that the minimum housing density agreed in Change 1 to the RPS could be eroded by the effect of some of the wording in the Belfast Park decision. The decision stipulates that 15 houses per hectare is a target, and not a minimum requirement as sought in the planning documents for the area, including the City Council’s own Belfast Area Plan.

Commissioner Tom Lambie said there was concern that the ruling could create a precedent in reducing the number of houses required on other greenfield sites to less than 15 per hectare.

“There could be an “undershoot” in the number of houses delivered on the greenfield areas across greater Christchurch. Cumulatively, the insufficient delivery of housing numbers at individual sites could result in pressure for the release of further greenfield land thereby undermining the core consolidation aim of Change 1 and the UDS.”

As a result, staff were instructed to lodge an appeal but to pursue mediation to resolve these matters.