Horowhenua District Council has received a partial exemption to the Government’s Plan Stop directive, which will allow the majority of proposed Plan Change 6A to proceed through the Resource Management Act (RMA) process to a hearing.
However some provisions are to be withdrawn as per Minister Christopher Bishop’s decision on Council’s Plan Stop exemption application to the Ministry for the Environment.
Proposed Plan Change 6A seeks to rezone 22ha of land on the northwest of Levin from Deferred Residential (Future Residential) to Residential. This land is one of Council’s identified urban growth areas – known as Levin North West 1 (LNW1). If approved, the rezoning will allow urban-scale subdivision to happen, enabling 400 to 500 dwellings on a range of section sizes.
Minister Christopher Bishop has advised that he considered Council’s application and was satisfied that Proposed Plan Change 6A met the criteria under the RMA for an exemption and could proceed in part. However, some provisions were identified as not appropriate to continue and must now be withdrawn.
Mayor Bernie Wanden says the decision gives clarity about what happens next.
“Proposed Plan Change 6A is an important part of planning for Horowhenua’s future growth, and this decision gives us a clear way forward,” says Mayor Bernie.
“It means the plan change can keep moving, while also making it clear which parts will continue and which parts have been withdrawn.”
“While we are disappointed that the removal of some provisions means work Council and Muaūpoko Tribal Authority put into shaping this plan change will not move forward as originally proposed, we remain focused on the parts that can still proceed and on planning well for our growing community.”
The provisions being withdrawn include three policies, six permitted activity conditions and one rule.
Mayor Bernie says it is important that the community understands both the decision and the next step in the process.
“We know submitters and residents want to understand what this means, and we will continue to keep people informed as the process moves ahead.”
The remainder of Proposed Plan Change 6A will now proceed to a public hearing. The hearing date will be advised in due course through a public notice and webpage update. Submitters who asked to speak at the hearing will also be advised directly.
For more information, visit letskorero.horowhenua.govt.nz/PPC6A