Council Considering The Future Of Beachlands And Whitford Village

Manukau City Council is seeking community views on the prospect of potential growth and development in the areas of Beachlands and Whitford Village. The Council is conducting formal Studies on these two areas. The process will be similar to that followed by the Whitford Study which has been underway for some time.

The Council wants to hear from residents and other interested parties and all opinions and comment are welcome throughout the process.

If any development of these areas is permitted it is important that it take place in a planned and controlled manner, rather than on an ad hoc basis. Historically, the Council has limited growth because it would have altered these area’s special characteristics. But there is constant pressure to allow new developments and expansion in both Beachlands and Whitford Village and the Council wishes to ensure that, if such projects are allowed, they be carried out in a socially acceptable and environmentally sustainable way.

The Studies will be examining issues such as

Should these areas grow? If so, where? And how fast should this happen?

What type of development should occur – for example should it be residential, low density residential or countryside living to provide a buffer between the settlement and the rural zone, business and/or shopping activities?

How can the character and special amenities be retained?

What scale and intensity of growth should there be?

At this stage the Council plans to produce a draft growth management strategy later this year followed by a draft Structure Plan and Plan Change (if necessary to implement the growth strategy) for public comment. Any Plan Change is likely to be publicly notified around April 2006, and there would be opportunity for formal submissions to be made and heard by the Council.

Public comment should be addressed to:

Cheryl Cleary

Project Leader

Whitford Village Study

Private Bag 76917

Manukau City

Email: ccleary@manukau.govt.nz

Fax: 09 2625169

OR

Alia Cederman

Graduate Environmental Policy Planner

Private Bag 76917

Manukau City

Fax 092625169

Email: acederma@manukau.govt.nz

ENDS

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