District-wide matter: Family flats

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District Plan Review consultation now closed.

Initial public consultation on key draft changes to the current Selwyn District Plan closed on Monday 8 October 2018. Thank you to everyone who let us know what they thought of the review so far.

What’s next?

Following this initial public consultation on the District Plan Review, the Council will consider all feedback and start developing detailed provisions for the Proposed District Plan. Please note that a summary report on the initial public consultation will be made available on Your Say Selwyn website at www.selwyn.govt.nz/districtplanreview.

It’s expected the Proposed District Plan will be

District Plan Review consultation now closed.

Initial public consultation on key draft changes to the current Selwyn District Plan closed on Monday 8 October 2018. Thank you to everyone who let us know what they thought of the review so far.

What’s next?

Following this initial public consultation on the District Plan Review, the Council will consider all feedback and start developing detailed provisions for the Proposed District Plan. Please note that a summary report on the initial public consultation will be made available on Your Say Selwyn website at www.selwyn.govt.nz/districtplanreview.

It’s expected the Proposed District Plan will be notified in early 2020 for formal public consultation. The longer timeframe is due to the local government elections at the end of 2019 and ensuring the newly elected Council endorses the Proposed District Plan before it gets notified.


We want to know what you think about the draft changes that affect family flats related rules and policies in the current District Plan. The draft changes have been endorsed by the Selwyn District Council for further development as part of its District Plan Review.

How can I have a say?

To give us your feedback on the draft changes , you can:

There will be many consultation opportunities for feedback at different stages of the District Plan Review and this is the first such opportunity. It’s expected that the new District Plan will be notified in early 2020 and be fully in place, subject to any Environment Court appeals, in March 2022.

Background

Family flats in the current Selwyn District Plan

Family flats, also called granny flats, can take different formats, from being attached to the main dwelling to being a completely standalone house on the same property as the main dwelling.


A family flat under the current District Plan is a dwelling up to 70m2, excluding garaging, which is located on the same site as the main dwelling and is occupied by a member of the same immediate family that lives in the main dwelling.

Currently a family flat can be built in all residential and rural zones of the district without a resource consent, as long as it meets certain standards. Between 2013 and 2017, 116 building consent for family flats were lodged. Since 2010, 105 resource consent applications for family flats were required. Of the resource consents, 66 were non-complying applications, which were granted, subject to certain conditions.


Have a question about family flats and can't find the answer? We would like to hear from you.

  • Share When there is reference to the family flat being in close proximity to the main house, what is this likely to be in more exact terms please? So if you have an existing sleepout/family flat that is larger than 90sqm would that require special consent potentially or would it just not be able to be considered at all under the new plan? Our sleepout doesn't have a kitchen in it, but if we wanted to add that in, would that also need consent then in order for it to be approved as a family flat? Many thanks on Facebook Share When there is reference to the family flat being in close proximity to the main house, what is this likely to be in more exact terms please? So if you have an existing sleepout/family flat that is larger than 90sqm would that require special consent potentially or would it just not be able to be considered at all under the new plan? Our sleepout doesn't have a kitchen in it, but if we wanted to add that in, would that also need consent then in order for it to be approved as a family flat? Many thanks on Twitter Share When there is reference to the family flat being in close proximity to the main house, what is this likely to be in more exact terms please? So if you have an existing sleepout/family flat that is larger than 90sqm would that require special consent potentially or would it just not be able to be considered at all under the new plan? Our sleepout doesn't have a kitchen in it, but if we wanted to add that in, would that also need consent then in order for it to be approved as a family flat? Many thanks on Linkedin Email When there is reference to the family flat being in close proximity to the main house, what is this likely to be in more exact terms please? So if you have an existing sleepout/family flat that is larger than 90sqm would that require special consent potentially or would it just not be able to be considered at all under the new plan? Our sleepout doesn't have a kitchen in it, but if we wanted to add that in, would that also need consent then in order for it to be approved as a family flat? Many thanks link

    When there is reference to the family flat being in close proximity to the main house, what is this likely to be in more exact terms please? So if you have an existing sleepout/family flat that is larger than 90sqm would that require special consent potentially or would it just not be able to be considered at all under the new plan? Our sleepout doesn't have a kitchen in it, but if we wanted to add that in, would that also need consent then in order for it to be approved as a family flat? Many thanks

    hobnob asked about 6 years ago

    Hi,

    Please see our responses below.

    • When there is reference to the family flat being in close proximity to the main house, what is this likely to be in more exact terms please?

    One of the issues identified during the review of the current District Plan was that family flats can currently locate anywhere on a property. While this is generally not an issue within the residential zones due to the smaller lot sizes, in the Rural Zone this can lead to the dispersal of housing over a property, which is then likely to have an impact on how the land can be used, rural character and amenity. To lessen this, it is recommended that the new District Plan includes a requirement for there to be a maximum separation between the main dwelling and a family flat. Other councils have adopted a maximum separation of 30 metres but we are asking for feedback on what people in Selwyn think a reasonable separation distance should be.

    • So if you have an existing sleepout/family flat that is larger than 90sqm would that require special consent potentially or would it just not be able to be considered at all under the new plan?

    A family flat has to be self-contained while a sleepout cannot be fully self-contained. To convert a sleepout to a family flat, a resource consent would be required where it is larger than 90 sqm anywhere in the district, under either the current District Plan or the draft changes being considered

    • Our sleepout doesn't have a kitchen in it, but if we wanted to add that in, would that also need consent then in order for it to be approved as a family flat?

    If you’d like to discuss current options for your property, please contact the duty planner by email to planning.info@selwyn.govt.nz or by phone on (03) 347 2868 or (03) 318  8338.

    In the meantime, please tell us if you think we’re on the right track in relation to family.

    Kind regards,

    Selwyn District Plan Review team








  • Share How can I be kept informed about this issue? When will it be due to be ratified? Where can I get a full copy of the proposed changes relating to family flats? on Facebook Share How can I be kept informed about this issue? When will it be due to be ratified? Where can I get a full copy of the proposed changes relating to family flats? on Twitter Share How can I be kept informed about this issue? When will it be due to be ratified? Where can I get a full copy of the proposed changes relating to family flats? on Linkedin Email How can I be kept informed about this issue? When will it be due to be ratified? Where can I get a full copy of the proposed changes relating to family flats? link

    How can I be kept informed about this issue? When will it be due to be ratified? Where can I get a full copy of the proposed changes relating to family flats?

    hobnob asked about 6 years ago

    Hi,

    Thank you for your questions. Please see below our responses.

    How can I be kept informed about this issue?

    We suggest you keep an eye on this site. We’ll be updating the information so that you can see what stage of the review we’re in.

    When will it be due to be ratified?

    Feedback from this consultation will help inform the new rules to be included in the Proposed District Plan, which is expected to be notified for formal public consultation in early 2020.

    The new District Plan is anticipated to be in place, subject to any Environment Court appeals, in early 2022. Until then any new resource applications will be assessed against the current District Plan.

    Where can I get a full copy of the proposed changes relating to family flats?

    More information on the draft changes to family flats related rules can be found in:

    Kind regards,
    Selwyn District Plan Review team