The Tasman District Council has approved eight Special Housing Areas, able to provide at least 1281 sections, in Richmond, Wakefield, Marahau and Pohara.

Deputy Mayor Tim King said the decisions would help satisfy the strong demand for housing in the region by fast-tracking residential development.

“This is the first time we have been asked to consider applications under the 2013 Special Housing Areas legislation. Making more land available for homes and streamlining the consenting process will give people wanting to buy or build a home more opportunities to do so. At the moment sections are in extremely high demand and there’s not a lot of them around.”

The Council has also agreed to bring forward funding for water infrastructure needed for the development of land in Richmond West. Developers will fund half the cost of the water services.

Tim said working with developers provided a cost-effective way for the Council to enable faster land development and provide extra infrastructure for the benefit of wider Richmond.

“As well as servicing new development, the upgrade to the Richmond Water Treatment Plant will give greater supply security to all Richmond water users in the event of a pipe failure and allow the plant to keep operating in the event of power failure.”

The Council will now recommend the eight Special Housing Areas to the Minister of Housing.

Recommended Special Housing Areas

In Richmond:

• Hill Street – minimum 14 lots
•
• Angelus Avenue – minimum 30 lots
•
• Highland Drive – minimum 32 lots
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• Appleby/Lower Queen Street – minimum 250 lots
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• McShane Road – minimum 800 lots
•
In Wakefield:

• Whitby Road – minimum 40 lots
•
In Marahau:

• Sandy Bay – Marahau Road – minimum 45 lots
•
In Pohara:

• Richmond Road – minimum 70 lots
•
ENDS

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