Proposed plan change will allow more houses to be built in smaller areas

Changes to the way Hastings’ urban areas are developed are being proposed, and people have until November 25 to give their feedback.

The proposals are contained within Plan Change 5, which has been drafted in response to Government legislation and the rapid population growth in Hastings since 2015, that’s 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 for councils to allow more homes to be built within existing urban areas.

The changes within Plan Change 5 – Right homes; Right place, potentially impact everyone in the central city and other residential areas.

In these locations 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 the Plan Change was significant for everyone living in residential areas in the city, paving the way for more houses to be built in smaller areas.

“While this plan would allow more compact residential developments, we have strengthened our residential intensification design guide to ensure new medium density housing is well-designed, attractive and sustainable, creating appealing neighbourhoods with a sense of community.

“Importantly this is also about using land efficiently to address the housing needs of our community alongside protecting our productive land for future generations.”

People can find out more about Plan Change 5 on this page of our website and make submissions at My Voice My Choice.

Submissions close November 25.

3 November 2022

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