by Katrina Roos | Senior Planner | Cato Bolam Consultants
Lifestyle subdivision continues to be a popular option for both developers and buyers in the beautiful and diverse Winterless North.
There has never been a better time to invest in rural lifestyle development. Money in the bank is generating ever decreasing returns, and investing in commercial property is becoming a less attractive option due to the economic effects of Covid 19 lockdowns.
Working from home has become a viable option for professionals over the last six months, and this has encouraged people to look at opportunities to exit the city in search of safety and calm. Lifestyle block sales reached record highs in July 2020, and our clients have reported strong interest in sections for sale, including premium sites.
Rural living on a manageable lifestyle block to escape from the hustle and bustle with animals, crops and space for family and friends to relax and roam but within easy reach of city amenities is a dream of many New Zealanders.
Local councils accommodate the demand for lifestyle development by striking a balance between keeping the countryside for farming, forestry and open spaces, and allowing lifestyle blocks in certain locations. Lifestyle development can be an easier means of developing land compared to residential projects due to the lower infrastructure requirements and Council costs.
There are multiple options for lifestyle block development in the Kaipara, Whangarei and Far North Districts. Cato Bolam Consultants has extensive experience in designing and consenting lifestyle development in Northland and implementing infrastructure and ecological planting to a high-quality standard for sale.
In the Kaipara District subdivision can be achieved anywhere in the rural zone on smaller titles, and where an environmental benefit of native bush, wetland, or stream or coastal margin is offered. If you have a block of land that is less than 5 hectares and pre-dates 2009, you can achieve between 3 and 4 lots without the need for a benefit. With a benefit, you can achieve up to 4 lots with 0.5 hectares of benefit covenant required per extra lot.
Whangarei Council has rezoned large areas of formerly rural land for lifestyle development around popular locations. Environmental benefit subdivisions are still possible in the wider rural zone, depending on the quality of the ecological benefit. The best options exist in the Rural Living and Rural Village areas surrounding townships and on the outskirts of Whangarei.
In the Far North, there are lifestyle options for smaller titles in rural areas, and in rural and coastal living zones around existing townships. While environmental benefits can assist with obtaining consent for a more intense subdivision, there is no emphasis on providing protected land in the Far North in exchange for lifestyle development and Council levies do not apply.
Cato Bolam provides start to end subdivision services including; planning, surveying, engineering, architecture, environmental and project management. If you have land that you think may be suitable for lifestyle development contact Simon Reiher in Whangarei for a free consultation [email protected] or 09 438 1684.
