Major milestone for Proposed District Plan as Decisions Version publicly notified

A significant milestone in the planning and development of the Proposed New Plymouth District Plan saw the Decisions Version of the plan publicly notified on 13 May 2023.

It represents years of work by NPDC, tangata whenua, key stakeholders, and the community and is the first national planning standards-compliant full e-plan decisions version to be approved in the country, emphasising the district’s commitment to innovation and efficiency in the planning process.

Those submitters involved in the process will have 30 working days to appeal the decisions to the Environment Court, needing to lodge their appeal before 26 June. 

About the Proposed District Plan – Decision Version

The plan will:

• Provide more opportunities for housing through new medium density residential zones, structure plan development areas and rezoned residential land on the fringes of urban areas, helping to address the growing demand for housing in the district and providing more options to residents and newcomers.
• Make it clear where the district will grow in the future provide a clear roadmap for development and ensure growth is sustainable and well-planned.
• Recognise the important role of tangata whenua, who are kaitiaki, who will help shape the development of the district, underscoring our commitment to promoting cultural understanding and inclusivity.
• Identify the city centre and district’s centres as the “go to” areas for retail and office activities, ensuring these areas remain strong and vibrant.
• Ensure network utilities and infrastructure can sustainably support the district’s growth and development.
• Protect special features important to the community including more than 350 areas of bush, more than 1,000 cultural sites, 150 heritage buildings and more than 500 notable tree records. This protection ensures the district’s natural, cultural and historical assets are preserved for future generations.

Importantly, the strategic direction and incorporation of tangata whenua values and engagement into the Proposed New Plymouth District Plan - Decisions Version will set the benchmark for pending resource management reform in Taranaki. It places NPDC in a unique position to support and shape the region’s future land-use planning, environmental regulation, infrastructure provision and responses to climate change. 

What happens next?

From 13 May, submitters involved in the process will have 30 working days to appeal the decisions to the Environment Court.  The appeal period is not open to the public, only submitters or parties directly affected by the decisions can lodge appeals before the 26 June 2023.

Resource Consents lodged before and after 13 May 2023

• From 13 May 2023 until 26 June 2023, the provisions of the Proposed District Plan - Decisions Version have legal effect and all resource consent applications will be assessed under the relevant provisions in the Proposed District Plan - Decisions Version as well as the relevant provisions of the Operative District Plan 2005.
• From 26 June 2023, if a particular provision in the Proposed District Plan - Decisions Version is subject to an appeal, the relevant provisions in the Operative District Plan 2005 will remain applicable (in addition to the Proposed District Plan - Decisions Version) until such time as that appeal is determined or withdrawn.
• From 26 June 2023, any provisions of the Proposed District Plan - Decisions Version that are not subject to an appeal, will be treated as operative in accordance with the relevant provisions of the RMA and the Operative District Plan will no longer be applicable in respect of these provisions.
• The Proposed District Plan - Decisions Version will be updated as it becomes operative or operative in part.

Want to know more?

View the Decisions Version.