Residents fear proposed development could tarnish their town’s rural character

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Amberley residents fear a proposed development could tarnish the North Canterbury town’s rural character.

UWC Limited has submitted a resource consent application with the Hurunui District Council to expand The Clearing subdivision with sections as small as 400m2.

The subdivision, located between Amberley Beach and Carters roads, already had 123 sections established in the first two stages.

The application proposes creating a further 201 sections ranging in size from 400m2 to 1028m2, with the vast majority below 700m2.

Resident Vanessa McPherson said the proposal would put Amberley’s rural character at risk.

“It could lead to having a McDonald’s and vape shops, and people don’t want Hurunui to turn into that kind of place.”

Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said the proposal would introduce “higher density housing than we would have expected” and could bring 400 new residents to the town.

The Hurunui District Plan allowed for just 20% of sections to be smaller than 700m2 for residential 1A zone.

“The 700m2 rule is an arbitrary number. It’s about how the rural character and amenity of the town is reflected,” Dobbie said.

“But we know nationally this is changing, so it’s no surprise higher density housing has come out our way.

“The question will be what the public thinks.”

Other variations to the District Plan, included several sections not meeting the 15m by 15m shape factor requirement.

The proposed subdivision also did not comply with the minimum 20m road width, and the provision of a footpath on both sides of the road.

McPherson said while she supported growth, the sheer number of sections would put pressure on existing community services.

“I feel growth is inevitable, but let's grow on our terms.

“There’s so many different factors to consider. We’re getting a lot of retirees, but the Amberley Medical Centre is already bulging at the seams.”

Dobbie said the council had completed work to expand the town’s waste water capacity and work was under way to extend the town’s drinking water supplies.

“Other services such as the medical centre, schools and shops are down to other people to provide, but our view is that growth will lead to a growth in those services.”

McPherson said neighbours were expressing concerns about the development, but were unsure how to respond.

“I feel very strongly that this subdivision is taking us down a path the community doesn’t want to go down.”

Dobbie encouraged residents to have their say and to give reasons for their views to help inform the planners.

The full application can be viewed on the Hurunui District Council website.

Submissions close on Friday, September 16.

Planning commissioners will be appointed to hear the submissions.