Christchurch should allow denser housing near flight paths, experts say

Friday, 2 August 2024

An illustration of housing under proposed new density rules.

Christchurch should allow denser housing inside airport noise boundaries, an Independent Hearing Panel’s report to the city council says.

The report is part of the council’s Plan Change 14 process, which aims to enable more development and boost housing density as required by Government.

The experts’ recommendation, if adopted by councillors in September, would significantly expand the areas where three or more homes can be built on a site.

It would overturn the council’s plan which would have exempted from new housing intensification rules areas covered by widened flight path noise contours as sought by the airport company.

Christchurch City Council proposed to restrict housing intensification under aircraft flight paths, affecting Riccarton, Ilam, and Hagley Park.

The restrictions would have extended as far as Ilam, Riccarton, Blenheim Rd and Hagley Park.

The panel has recommended allowing up to three homes per site inside the 50dB (decibel) contour for airport noise, or four or more homes per site as a discretionary activity.

It recommends housing intensification rules should apply to both medium and high density zones inside these airport noise areas.

The panel says homes built in these areas, both in medium and high density zones should meet acoustic and insulation requirements.

Development restrictions near airports and flight paths are set for reasons of community wellbeing, and enabling the airport to do business unrestricted by residents’ noise concerns.

Greater Ōtautahi spokesman M Grace-Stent said the group was “happy to see” the panel’s recommendations, and the city’s proposed restriction would have been “way too high, and the highest worldwide”.

Christchurch city councillors will decide on recommendations from the Independent Hearing Panel in September.

“We are hoping the council agrees with them, and takes up these recommendations,” Grace-Stent said.

“It affects a significant area. It includes areas that council has identified for housing growth, such as Ilam around the university, and Riccarton. These are places with transport corridors.”

Grace-Stent said while acoustic insulation was probably a good idea, councils had to be careful not to add too many rules, making housing unaffordable.

“Broadly, there needs to be more housing, and better quality housing, across the city.”

Tony Simons, of the Riccarton Bush -Kilmarnock Residents’ Association, said Christchurch has plenty of room for new housing without new housing density rules.

“We’re adopting a new regime that allows a lot more intensification of urban areas when it’s not needed.

“It opens the door to a chaotic housing market and developers doing what they want and the public not having much say over it.”

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