Community input wanted on plan for Cranford St land

Public feedback will be sought on a draft Regeneration Plan that provides for some residual rural land in Papanui/St Albans to be rezoned for residential purposes.

A regeneration plan has been drafted for 125 hectares of rural land on the western side of Cranford St.

The draft Cranford Regeneration Plan has been prepared by the Christchurch City Council under new legislation designed to support regeneration.

The plan focuses on the regeneration of about 125 hectares of land on the western side of the upper end of Cranford St.

A large part of that area is made up of the Cranford Basin – a major natural ponding and stormwater management area that is critical to reducing the flood risk.  Over the next decade there are plans to transform Cranford Basin into a multi-purpose forested wetland with walking and cycle paths.

The land at the edge of the Basin is considered by the Council to be suitable for residential development and the draft Cranford Regeneration Plan proposes rezoning about 38 hectares for housing.

“The land proposed for housing does pose some geo-technical and hydro-technical challenges, however, we’ve commissioned technical reports indicating those challenges can be addressed with careful management at the time of development,’’ said Council Head of Planning and Strategic Transport Richard Osborne.

At today’s Council meeting, the Council voted to put the draft Cranford Regeneration Plan out for public comment, ahead of submitting it to Regenerate Christchurch later this year.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the proposals outlined in the draft Cranford Regeneration Plan made good sense and had the potential to contribute to the recovery and regeneration of the local area.

“The current zoning of the Cranford land prevents residential development in an area close to Northlands Shopping Centre and key public transport routes. It is an ideal location to increase the supply of housing and to locate people close to parks, recreation and schools,’’ Ms Dalziel said.

“I think this plan strikes a sensible balance between allowing for more urban growth and protecting and enhancing an important natural ponding area and I am sure that the concerns some Councillors have raised around affordable housing, stormwater and transport planning will be the subject of input from the community,'' the Mayor said.

Public comment on the draft Cranford Regeneration Plan will open on March 30.