Council urged to rethink on multiple dwellings

May 29th, 2013

Tasman District Council has been urged to reconsider its rules on multiple houses being built on rural properties, following the backing down of a Motueka couple in a much publicised legal battle.

Jan-Albert Droppers and Irma Jager had charges brought against them by TDC for breaches of the Resource Management Act and failing to comply with the Building Act, following their alleged failure to comply with last year's Environment Court order around illegal dwellings on the property.

The case was in relation to two dwellings, a yurt and a strawbale cottage, which are deemed to be illegal dwellings on their West Bank Rd property WantooWantoo. Read details of the story in the Nelson Mail.

Motueka resident and permaculture designer Petra Stephenson, who has a Diploma in Environmental Management, has written a strong letter to the TDC mayor, councillors and planners making several well-argued points aimed at changing the council's policy.

She proposes that as long as there is "no cross boundary adverse effect beyond visual effects, and no detrimental environmental effects, then multiple dwellings should be permitted" under the Tasman Resource Management Plan.

"TDC's current legislation and process under the Resource Management Act is a significant detriment to, rather than encouragement for, extended family or group occupation of rural land," Petra argued.

"I support council whole heartedly in stopping further subdivisions of land with great soil types and contours for efficient horticultural or agricultural mass production, but urge council to remap properties according to soil type/contours and allow, even encourage multiple housing."

She also said multiple ownership/stewardship for land encourages proper management. "Far too many lifestyle blocks are underutilised and/or oversized mown lawns and have nothing of the rural character."

She said council is "too concerned about the neighbours and giving neighbours too much power", and may have had to act because somebody complained. "There are no cross boundary adverse effects. Therefore, change your rules and tell the other person to pull their head in and learn compassion."

Petra also pointed out that council is looking for affordable housing, and here is a solution. "It might not suit all sectors of society, but it does not need to.

"Not everybody strives for a 250-plus square meter home with no neighbours, nor will all land all of a sudden be occupied by multiple dwellings."

Read the full letter by clicking here.

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