Updates on proposed private plan change for Whisper Creek Residential (PC23).

This proposed Private Plan Change relates to land at 144, 156 and 176 Turners Road and 174, 220 and 240 Spencerville Road and 161 Lower Styx Road.

The proposed Private Plan Change seeks to enable residential development at 144, 156 and 176 Turners Road and 174, 220 and 240 Spencerville Road.

It is anticipated that 800 households and a neighbourhood commercial centre could be developed. If the rezoning is approved the scope of the private plan change includes:

  • To rezone operative Special Purpose Golf Resort Zone and Rural Urban Fringe Zone upper terrace sites to Residential New Neighbourhood Zone; and
  • To rezone lower terrace areas subject to the High Flood Management Area from Special Purpose Golf Resort Zone to Rural Urban Fringe Zone;
  • To enable a Neighbourhood Centre to be located at the site;
  • Retain the existing Open Space Waterway and Margins Zone along the Styx River; and

Amend provisions in the Christchurch District Plan that are relevant to the site, including inserting a new Outline Development Plan to guide development of the site.

Section 32 Report [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Further submissions

May 2025

Proposed Private Plan Change lodged.

June 2025

Request for further information from Council sent to applicants.

23 September 2025

Council makes decision to accept, reject, adopt or process request for notification.

17 October 2025

Notification of the plan change.

17 October - 17 November 2025

Submission Period

January 2026

Further Submissions.

Wednesday 20 May 2026 to Friday 22 May 2026

Hearing.

Exact date to be confirmed - Likely 2026

Hearing Panel recommendation and Council decision.

 

  • The Council can request further information from the applicant within 20 days of the application being submitted. Unlike a resource consent application, there is also the opportunity to clarify any matter from the further information response with a subsequent request for additional information.
  • Council will decide if it should proceed as a private plan change, a Council adopted plan change, a resource consent application or whether it can be rejected.  A request may be rejected on very specific legal grounds, including whether it is in accordance with sound resource management practice, if frivolous or vexatious, or if previously rejected by Council or the Environment Court within the last two years.
  • If the private plan change progresses, it will be publicly notified and submissions invited for a period of 20 working days.
  • Further submissions are invited, allowing specified persons to support or oppose what has been sought in the earlier submissions.
  • A public hearing is held.
  • A decision is made by the Council on the merits of the plan change, based on recommendations from the public hearing.
  • Appeals are heard if any are received.

More details on the private plan change process steps [PDF, 742 KB].