Council accepts Private Plan Change 37 for public notification
An application to rezone nearly 100 hectares of rural land in Leamington to provide for residential housing has been accepted for public notification by Waipā District Council.
This will allow the community to review the proposal, and have their say on it through a public submissions and hearings process.
Council’s Strategic Planning and Policy Committee last week agreed to accept Private Plan Change 37 (PC37) for processing, also known as the Rider Park Structure Plan. The proposal is expected to be publicly notified in May.
The plan change, lodged by Milan Park Stud Limited, seeks to rezone 98.6 hectares of land on the south-eastern edge of Leamington to allow medium-density housing. The land is currently used for equine activities and grazing.
Nearly half of the site sits within an area identified for future residential growth after 2035, currently zoned Deferred Residential. The balance is currently zoned Rural.
Committee chair Mike Montgomerie said accepting the plan change for notification does not mean Council supports the proposal or has made a decision on whether it should be approved.
“Accepting the private plan change for processing is about transparency and giving the community a voice,” he said. “It allows people to understand what’s being proposed, consider the potential impacts, and make a submission.
“Proposals like this need to be tested through the full public planning process so the community can provide input.”
Council staff will now begin the formal process under the Resource Management Act 1991. This includes public notification, submissions and hearings, all of which are funded by the applicant.
“We encourage anyone who may be affected by this proposal to take part when it’s notified,” Montgomerie said. “This is how community views are considered in future planning decisions for our district.
“The final decision is expected to be made by an independent hearing panel.”
For more information, see waipadc.govt.nz/planchange37
