How new housing intensification rules will affect Selwyn

Residents in Selwyn will get to have their say on new housing intensification rules, which will allow for more housing and at greater heights in relevant residential areas in Rolleston, Lincoln and Prebbleton.

The Council has publicly notify mandatory variations to the Proposed Selwyn District Plan and to eight private plan changes to the Operative Selwyn District Plan released today.

The variations are required following the Government’s introduction of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development.

The Government legislation brings in new rules requiring five of the largest urban environments in New Zealand – including parts of Selwyn – to enable an increase in housing supply by introducing a new Medium Density Residential Zone in relevant areas.

Within this zone, new medium density residential standards will allow landowners to build up to three buildings at a maximum of three storeys high without requiring a resource consent.

In Selwyn, the Council is proposing to rezone the existing General Residential Zones in Rolleston, Lincoln and Prebbleton to Medium Density Residential Zones.

Council Group Manager Development and Growth Tim Harris said the changes set out by the Government to encourage housing supply are not optional, however, the consultation gives people the chance to shape the details of what is affected.”

People can make a submission about new land that is proposed to be rezoned from rural to residential.

There are also places that the Council can deem inappropriate to have the medium density standards applied.

That includes to protect significant infrastructure, or the history, cultural or ecological value of a place. That is something we want to hear from local communities on.”

To help the public understand these variations and what they can cover in their submissions, people can also contact a free Friend of a Submitter service, provided by the Ministry for the Environment. More details are available at selwyn.govt.nz/yoursay.

The variations, supporting information and submission forms can be viewed on the Council engagement website at selwyn.govt.nz/yoursay, and at Council service centres and public libraries in Darfield, Leeston and Rolleston.

The Council will also be holding information sessions where members of the Council Planning Team will give a presentation covering all the key information. The sessions will be held at: