Build environment
- (B4) Identify and assist in the retention of remaining built heritage: The new owner of the British Hotel is undertaking a general fire and seismic upgrade, including a new external staircase on its north side, and minor alterations. In March 2023, the Council introduced the Lyttelton Residential Heritage Area, as one of 11 Residential Heritage Areas (RHAs) publicly notified as part of Plan Changes 13 and 14 to the Christchurch District Plan. RHAs seek to collectively protect buildings and features of significance to the city's heritage and identity. The Lyttelton RHA covers most of the residential township but excludes commercial, industrial and port-zoned land. The proposed heritage provisions had immediate legal effect from the time of public notification. A decision on the Lyttelton RHA is expected as part of Plan Change 14, on which the stage 1 decision is due in September 2024 and the stage 2 decision by December 2024. More information(external link)(external link).
Community wellbeing, culture and heritage
- (C2) Investigation for and use of Council property to accommodate community and cultural activities: ChristchurchNZ has started considering options for the future use of the former stables in Donald Street. Work to date has included site investigations (including infrastructure, geotechnical, structural and archaeological assessments), development feasibility and options assessment. Next steps will consider potential uses for the site based on identified community and market demand and commercial feasibility testing.
- (C6) Naval Point amenity improvements and redevelopment: Demolition of the majority of the Magazine Bay Marina has been completed and works started to make the structure safe for public access and use. Coastguard Canterbury has begun fundraising for new headquarters, for location near the public slipway. Work has also begun on a significant upgrade to the Lyttelton Recreation Grounds on Godley Quay, including provision of a netball court, basketball/futsal court and an artificial turf field, and on design work for the new change pavilions. More information(external link)(external link).
- (C9) Emergency preparedness: Project Lyttelton has been working closely with the Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management Team, and other formal and informal groups across Banks Peninsula with an interest in resilience planning, to develop a Lyttelton Community Emergency Hub. The hub will provide information and address welfare needs alongside, or in the absence of, official Civil Defence operations. They are also developing an emergency and climate change-related Resilience Plan alongside raising awareness within and educating the community about emergency preparedness.
Economy and Business
- (E1) Support for a Lyttelton marketing and attraction campaign: The Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre has been working alongside the Lyttelton Port Company, Council, Environment Canterbury and other parties to ensure cruise ship passengers have the resources required to visit Lyttelton.
Natural environment
- (N5) Temporary landscapes: The Council has included a proposal to extend the use of City Vacant Differential Rating to four suburban centres including Lyttelton in its Draft LTP 2024-2034, reflecting the extent of vacant land there. Well-maintained sites in planning-compliant temporary uses are exempt and remissions are available where property owners improve the visual amenity of their sites in line with the Council’s Vacant Site Improvement Guide.
- (N6) Local landscape and heritage interpretation: Assisted by the Council’s gifting of the site in 2017, the Lyttelton Historical Museum Society obtained Resource Consent for its museum rebuild in April 2023, the fund-raising for which has been steady. More information(external link)(external link).