Council roadshow provides info on more homes

Changes to the way we develop Hastings urban areas are being proposed, and to help the community get information about them, a roadshow is underway over the coming week.

Since 2015 Hastings’ population has grown rapidly, pushing up demand for housing.

To cater for people already here and those making the move to our district, Hastings District Council has been looking at making more housing options possible, including apartments, and higher density townhouses.

That will provide more homes while protecting the region’s quality growing soils from urban sprawl. It also enables Council to meet new Government rules that require councils to allow more homes to be built within existing urban areas.

This work has culminated in a proposed Plan Change 5 – Right homes; Right place.

The plan will be notified at the end of October, which will give the community the opportunity to make formal submissions that will be considered by Council before a decision is made.

In the meantime, Council wants to make sure residents understand what the changes would mean. The roadshow team will be setting up at different spots across Hastings and is encouraging residents to call in for information and to ask questions.

The changes potentially impact everyone in the central city and residential areas.

Across the residential areas of the city the change would mean that should a developer wish to build, for example, low rise (maximum three-storeys) apartments on an urban section; provided they meet the planning and design rules, other people will not be able to object.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said she was excited for the change and what it meant for the future of Hastings.

“This is just the start of bringing to life our vision to have well-designed, sustainable, attractive housing developments that build a sense of community, while using land efficiently to protect our productive land for future generations.”

She encouraged residents to make the most of the roadshow. “The change impacts everyone in our central city and residential areas, and on paper it can seem complex.

“This road show is a great chance for residents to understand what this means for them and our district, and ask any questions.”

The roadshow times and locations are:

Thursday 13 October, 10am-2pm
Te Mata Rd, Havelock North (outside St Lukes Church)

Friday 14 October, 10am-2pm
Henderson Rd, Flaxmere (across from Flaxmere College)

Saturday 15 October, 10am-2pm
Hastings City Mall (near the clock tower)

For more information about the Plan Change go to hastingsdc.govt.nz/righthomesrightplace

12 October 2022

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