Free, local and independent design advice for developers, property owners and Council to promote and assist quality design outcomes that embody and contribute to Lyttelton’s built character.
The Design Review Panel provides the opportunity to test design ideas, especially in the early stages of concept development, with follow up recommendations provided.
To achieve the most design benefit and value for your project and Lyttelton, it’s advised to seek the Design Review Panel’s advice in your proposal’s early concept stages.
Working with the design review panel
The Design Review Panel provides pre-application and post-application design advice for developments that trigger resource consent for design matters in the Lyttelton Character Area Overlay (of the Banks Peninsula Residential Zone) or the Commercial Banks Peninsula Zone.
The Design Review Panel can provide advice when:
- Requested by a private individual or company – either before or after a resource consent application for their proposal has been lodged with the Council.
- Council planning and urban design staff consider a design review would be beneficial for a proposal in a Character Area Overlay Zone, Commercial Banks Peninsula zone or elsewhere, when agreed with the applicant.
- Requested by Council staff for a significant Council project or the preparation of any plan change or variation that has relevance to design matters in Lyttelton.
If requested by a developer or property owner, the Design Review Panel can also consider design proposals related to other District Plan zones within Lyttelton.
The role of the design review panel
The Design Review Panel is not a decision-making body and has an advisory role only.
Its recommendations may be considered among other matters and on balance, by a planner processing a resource consent, where the recommendations are applicable to District Plan matters of assessment.
Decisions about resource consent applications rest with the Council or the delegated decision-making body (e.g. a commissioner).
Contact a Council planner or urban designer on (03) 941 8999 for more information about the Design Review Panel or to arrange a design review.
Panel members
Further information