Court decision curbs rural subdivisions

The Environment Court has imposed limits on the number of house lots in the Swanson Foothills of the Waitakere Ranges - to the delight of campaigners against suburban sprawl.

In a long-awaited decision, the court has confirmed a structure plan for a maximum of 52 lots during the life of the Waitakere District Plan.

This is compared with a total of 200 new lots that a landowners' group claimed could reasonably be created by subdivision of their properties.

The Waitakere City Council's revised structure plan proposal of 116 lots drew 18 objections, including those from the Auckland Regional Council and Waitakere Ranges Protection Society.

The city council argued that its plan was kinder to the foothills environment than the present system of controlled subdivision down to 4ha lots.

To read the full NZ Herald story click here

Posted: 29 Jan 2009

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