Porirua City Council is calling for submissions on its proposal to change Porirua’s operative District Plan to rezone land for residential development at Plimmerton Farm.
To view the proposal please go here https://poriruacity.govt.nz/your-council/getting-involved/public-consultation/proposed-plan-change-18-plimmerton-farm/
The proposed Plimmerton Farm Plan Change is part of the Council’s response to the shortfall in housing and residential land in Porirua, which has been signalled previously through the City’s Growth Strategy and Northern Growth Area Planning.
Porirua’s population has been growing rapidly in the past few years and there’s not been enough housing and land available. This development will help meet some of that housing shortfall, says Manager Environment and City Planning Stewart McKenzie.
“The plan change seeks to rezone Plimmerton Farm from Rural Zone to a new Plimmerton Farm Zone which includes 2000 houses ranging from townhouses located on smaller section sizes through to stand-alone houses on large lots, a retirement village and small commercial centre with a supermarket.
“It protects and adds to significant natural areas including wetlands that are part of the Taupō Swamp Complex, retires steep slopes and gullies from grazing, and adds extensive planting and natural reversion to native forest cover. The Council requires careful management of stormwater quantity and quality to protect sensitive receiving waters including Taupō Swamp and Porirua Harbour and exemplary development practice to protect the environment. A network of public open space linked by walkways and cycleways for the local community and wider Porirua and Wellington is also planned.”
There will be a six-week period for written submissions followed by the opportunity for further submissions and then a hearing before an independent hearing panel. The hearing panel’s recommendation will go to the Minister for the Environment, who will make the final decision on the plan change.
“The plan change will also implement important aspects of the Draft District Plan and is the first development within the city’s identified Northern Growth Area. Community and stakeholders have played an important role in shaping the draft plan change and will continue to do so through the plan change process,” Mr McKenzie says.
20 May 2020
