Application
A resource consent application is received and assessedWe analyse the application and its likely effects on people and the environment. We may ask for more information.
We must consider:
- Christchurch District Plan rules for the type of activity and the zoning of the property.
- Resource Management Act requirements.
- Whether any neighbours have given written approval to the application.
Notification decision
The required level of public involvement is decidedThis decision is usually referred to as the notification decision. It is made by a council hearings panel, commissioner or senior staff, depending on the type of application.
The decision-makers consider:
- Whether any neighbours or other people are adversely affected and need to be involved in the application.
- Whether wider public input is needed.
There are three possible outcomes to this decision:
- Non-notified: If no one is considered to be adversely affected, or all the directly affected neighbours have given their written approval(external link).
- Limited notified: If there are neighbours who are directly affected and they have not given approval. Those neighbours are sent a copy and can make a submission stating their opinion of the application.
- Publicly notified: If an application is likely to have wider or greater effects on people or the environment. The application is advertised in the newspaper and on our website(external link), a sign is put up on the property, and directly affected neighbours are sent a copy of the application. Anyone can make a submission and be involved in this type of application.
Most of the applications we process meet the criteria for non-notification.
We must follow specific Resource Management Act requirements when making this decision. The test for whether someone is affected is whether the application has effects on them that are at least minor. When we’re deciding this we have to look at what sort of development the District Plan allows on the property, and the specific matters the plan says must be considered for the rules that are not complied with.
The Resource Management Act doesn’t enable the applicant, the neighbours or the community to have a say in the decision on what level of notification is required. The only way to object in this case is to apply to the High Court for a judicial review of the decision.
Hearing (if needed)
A public hearing may be heldLimited and publicly notified applications are heard and decided by a council hearings panel or a commissioner. The applicant, submitters and council staff all present their information and answer any questions.
Hearings(external link) are open to the public, but only people who made a submission are allowed to participate. If no submissions are received or submitters don’t want to be heard, a hearing may not be needed.
Decision
A decision is made to grant or decline consentThe final decision is made by a commissioner, a hearings panel, or senior staff, depending on the complexity of the application and whether there was a hearing. If consent is granted, this is usually subject to conditions to make sure the adverse effects are acceptable.
The decision is based on the requirements of the District Plan and the Resource Management Act It is recorded in writing, including the conditions and reasons for the decision. If the application was notified, a copy is sent to all submitters.
Submitters and/or the applicant can appeal the decision to the Environment Court if they disagree with it.
Application
A resource consent application is received and assessedWe analyse the application and its likely effects on people and the environment. We may ask for more information.
We must consider:
- Christchurch District Plan rules for the type of activity and the zoning of the property.
- Resource Management Act requirements.
- Whether any neighbours have given written approval to the application.
Notification decision
The required level of public involvement is decidedThis decision is usually referred to as the notification decision. It is made by a council hearings panel, commissioner or senior staff, depending on the type of application.
The decision-makers consider:
- Whether any neighbours or other people are adversely affected and need to be involved in the application.
- Whether wider public input is needed.
There are three possible outcomes to this decision:
- Non-notified: If no one is considered to be adversely affected, or all the directly affected neighbours have given their written approval(external link).
- Limited notified: If there are neighbours who are directly affected and they have not given approval. Those neighbours are sent a copy and can make a submission stating their opinion of the application.
- Publicly notified: If an application is likely to have wider or greater effects on people or the environment. The application is advertised in the newspaper and on our website(external link), a sign is put up on the property, and directly affected neighbours are sent a copy of the application. Anyone can make a submission and be involved in this type of application.
Most of the applications we process meet the criteria for non-notification.
We must follow specific Resource Management Act requirements when making this decision. The test for whether someone is affected is whether the application has effects on them that are at least minor. When we’re deciding this we have to look at what sort of development the District Plan allows on the property, and the specific matters the plan says must be considered for the rules that are not complied with.
The Resource Management Act doesn’t enable the applicant, the neighbours or the community to have a say in the decision on what level of notification is required. The only way to object in this case is to apply to the High Court for a judicial review of the decision.
Hearing (if needed)
A public hearing may be heldLimited and publicly notified applications are heard and decided by a council hearings panel or a commissioner. The applicant, submitters and council staff all present their information and answer any questions.
Hearings(external link) are open to the public, but only people who made a submission are allowed to participate. If no submissions are received or submitters don’t want to be heard, a hearing may not be needed.
Decision
A decision is made to grant or decline consentThe final decision is made by a commissioner, a hearings panel, or senior staff, depending on the complexity of the application and whether there was a hearing. If consent is granted, this is usually subject to conditions to make sure the adverse effects are acceptable.
The decision is based on the requirements of the District Plan and the Resource Management Act It is recorded in writing, including the conditions and reasons for the decision. If the application was notified, a copy is sent to all submitters.
Submitters and/or the applicant can appeal the decision to the Environment Court if they disagree with it.