New Ravenswood town centre approved

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

The Waimakariri District Council has approved a town centre for Ravenswood.

The council on Tuesday voted to pass private plan change 30 (PC30), amending the district plan to create a business zone, or town centre, in the North Canterbury town.

Ravenswood Developments Ltd lodged the request, which was originally notified by the council in October 2020, to create a key activity area with 35,000sqm of gross floor area.

After the application was declined by independent commissioners in November 2021, Ravenswood Developments Ltd appealed to the Environment Court, where the matter was resolved through mediation with the council.

The revised plan has a gross floor area of 25,500sqm.

‘‘This has been a long process,’’ mayor Dan Gordon said.

‘‘We were opposed to the initial scale of the development, because we wanted to ensure the Kaiapoi and Rangiora business centres were not compromised. There was agreement through mediation.

‘‘We have seen Harvey Norman and other large retailers being attracted to Ravenswood, so this gives our residents more choices and reduces the need for people to travel into Christchurch.’’

Development planning manager Matt Bacon said the changes had been accounted for in the proposed Waimakariri District Plan.