Wider choice of housing a priority
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
HUTT CITY COUNCIL is looking at how it can provide for a wider range of housing at different rates of affordability for residents.
Last week the council issued a discussion document titled Providing for greater housing choice in Hutt City, with a summary pamphlet sent to all residents.
The Chairman of the Council’s District Plan Committee, Cr Roger Styles, says the council had carried out a comprehensive review of the residential provisions in its District Plan over the past year.
The most pressing issue was how to provide for the changing needs of Hutt City residents, including the need for greater housing choice and more affordable housing options.
“Our research tells us that there will be a growing demand for smaller houses in future – we’ll need an extra 3800 dwellings by 2021, and these will primarily be for units, apartments and townhouses,” Cr Styles says.
“This demand will come from older people wanting to stay in their communities but downsize from large family homes, as well as families seeking alternative housing options. Younger people are also keen to live in apartments and townhouses.
"The single house on a large section is less and less affordable to many people.”
The council’s key proposals focus on encouraging infill housing and making multi-unit housing easier to achieve around the Hutt CBD and some local centres. At the same time, greater controls on design quality are proposed.
The council also proposes:
- to extend its “higher density residential” category to cover a 400-metre radius of centres;
- change the definition of “comprehensive residential development” (CRD) from five units to three; and
- introduce design guides to better control the effects of new building.
Infill housing and multi-unit developments will not be encouraged in low-density suburban areas where this might detract from existing character.
Cr Styles says the proposals support the Wellington Regional Strategy, which advocates for higher-density housing around centres and transport routes, and protection of the character of low-density suburbs.
Encouraging higher-density housing in and around centres offers many benefits, including making the most sustainable use of community facilities and infrastructure, Cr Styles says.
“We will build stronger, more vital centres because they will act as hubs of busier, more densely populated communities. They’ll be safer and healthier for residents, too, with more people out on the street, walking to and from their homes to the shops and other local services.”
The council proposes to make some other minor amendments to improve the District Plan’s workability. It welcomes feedback on its proposals. Feedback is due by August 11.