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Plan Change 49 - Subdivision in the Rural Zone

This proposed Plan Change was notified on 27 June 2009.

Proposed Plan Change 49 primarily seeks to amend the rules regarding the creation of lifestyle sites to ensure that the issues associated with applications for multiple lifestyle sites being created at once can be managed more effectively.

In summary, Plan Change 49 proposes to:

  • Increase the term of lifestyle site creation to once every 5 years instead of every 3 years;
  • Amend the wording of the standard regarding lifestyle subdivision to ensure timeframes apply 5 years after the date of any subject title has been issued;
  • Change the activity status for lifestyle (‘note 2’ subdivisions only) and rural lot (20ha plus) subdivision from ‘Controlled’ to ‘Restricted Discretionary’, while excluding the consideration of affected persons consents and public notification. In conjunction with this, assessment criteria are proposed to ensure multiple lifestyle sites are not created where inappropriate, and consideration is made of the shape and arrangement of sites for potential farming use. Criteria regarding archaeological, historic, cultural and waahi tapu sites are also proposed;
  • Retain ‘Controlled’ activity status for lifestyle subdivision when associated with an existing dwelling (and no other associated lifestyle sites have been created in the previous 5 years);
  • Reduce the minimum lifestyle site size from 1.5ha to 4,000m2;
  • Amend the definition of ‘Net site area’ to add exemptions so that Rights of Way and access strips do not prevent a site area from being considered as one site or being ‘contiguous’ in the Rural Zone. Also clarify that the minimum balance area column in table 15.1.8.3 is subject to the net site area definition;
  • Amend Table 15.1.8.3 (note 3) to specify that only one title over 20ha in size may be included as part of any amalgamation subdivision to ensure the associated lifestyle loophole is avoided;
  • Clarify the intent of the Maraekakaho lifestyle provision, and;
  • Amend the relevant District Plan Policies LDP7 and RUP14 to reflect the above changes and the objectives of the Plan.

Plan Change 49 introduces changes to the following sections of the Operative Hastings District Plan.

  • Section 2.6 Low Density Residential Strategy
  • Section 5.0 Rural Zone
  • Section 15.1 Subdivision and Land Development
  • Section 18.0 Definitions

Read the Plan Change documents

This information is also availale for reading in hard copy form at

  • Resource Management, 2nd Floor, Central Council Administration Office, Lyndon Road East, Hastings
  • Hastings, Flaxmere and Havelock North Libraries

Submissions & Further Submissions

The closing date for submissions was 4.30pm on Friday 8th August 2009.

Copies of all submissions received and the summary of the decisions requested by persons making submissions on Proposed Plan Change 49 are available for inspection at the following locations;

  • Resource Management, 2nd Floor, Central Council Administration Office, Lyndon Road East, Hastings
  • Hastings, Flaxmere and Havelock North Libraries
  • Download summary of submissions (PDF 373kB)

The Summary was previously notified in October, but due to a missing submission (Submission 100 Contact Energy Ltd), was required to be notified again, and the further submission period extended.

The closing date for further submissions was 4.30pm Friday 29th January 2010.

Decisions on Submissions

In accordance with the requirements of Clause 10 of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991, notice is given that proposed Plan Change 49 is deemed to have been amended in accordance with the decisions on submissions from the date of this notice.

Further information

For further information please call Shane Lambert on 06 871 5000


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