Why is the Council considering rules that encourage housing density?
The Council is looking at addressing a couple of challenges that the district is facing. One challenge is around the fact that currently the most common type of house in Selwyn is a single storey detached house, with an average size of 215m2 and three to four bedrooms. Yet we know that our district’s population is projected to grow and change in demographics which means there will be a greater need for a more diverse housing stock.
Another challenge is that over the last 10 years most of the housing development has happened on the outskirts of our larger townships. It’s important that we look at how we can encourage housing development in existing built areas, especially in Rolleston, Lincoln, Darfield and Leeston, rather than continue sprawling further into farmland.
How are you planning to determine boundaries of the proposed four new residential zones?
The four draft residential zones which the Council is considering at the moment are based on the housing density and the types of activities that occur in each of these zones. For example, the draft Medium Density Residential Zone would be around town centres in Rolleston, Lincoln, Darfield and Leeston, and neighbourhood centres in Rolleston and Lincoln. In this zone we would encourage medium density types of housing of up to three storeys which would maintain an urban residential character.
Comprehensive housing development considers an area as a whole before it gets developed. This means, for example: - the design and layout of the area has open spaces, roads and lanes for access to ensure it’s integrated both with the surrounding areas and internally; - there are different types of houses available, eg ranging from typical single storey standalone houses to terrace houses or low-rise apartments.
Medium density is used to describe housing developments that meet an average density in the context of the Selwyn district.
How will higher housing density affect Selwyn’s spacious look and feel?
The draft changes we’re currently considering, and are keen to get the public’s feedback on, support housing development which is aligned with the spacious character of our district. For example, we don’t think that medium or high rise apartments (more than three storeys high) are appropriate anywhere in our district.
How are you considering encouraging alternative housing in the district?
When looking at alternative types of housing, such as housing for the elderly and people with special needs, and boarding houses, we are currently considering draft changes that are aimed at recognising and providing for alternative types of housing within the district while at the same time maintaining the character of the surrounding residential areas. Key draft changes are developing new definitions for retirement villages, supported accommodation and boarding houses, and making alternative types of housing a restricted discretionary activity within residential zones, subject to appropriate standards, such as traffic, car parking, hours of operation and scale, location and height of the building.
Where can I find more information about the District Plan Review of housing development to date?
For more information about the Council’s preferred option for draft changes to housing development in the residential zones, and all the work done to date as part of the review visit Council website where all the reports developed for the District Plan Review are kept.
