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The planners asked us to tell them what we thought of the proposed plans to build on land above Bridle Path Road and we did, 115 times! The results are in, and they say people are overwhelmingly in favour of a low intensity project on this site.
Instead of the high density 'preferred development option', they want fewer houses, bigger section sizes, and to keep it all on the lower slopes with the rest of the land to be acquired by the council as a reserve.
The council's tally of the results shows that 86 out of 100 people favour lower density housing, with a further 8 wanting none at all. Only 6 replies were in favour of a more intensive project. With such a huge majority of people against this so-called preferred proposal, it will be interesting to see what happens next.
The planners' preferred option featured up to 135 new houses to be built, with small 450-550 m2 sections proposed along Bridle Path Road. These were expected to be of a ‘town-house’ nature. Instead, the Christchurch City Council's report by Dale Harris shows we want an amended lower density version of this option, with larger sections of around 750 m2, and fewer than 100 new households in total. Many people took the trouble to write at some length on why this type of building is more appropriate for the Heathcote Valley.
 Many argued that lower densities would provide more room for planting, trees and landscaping, thereby softening the
impact of the project on the surrounding environment. People told us that landscaping and planting would not only reduce
the visual impact of the project and maintain the 'green space' character of the area,
but would also help to encourage birdlife and improve slope stability. Retention of existing mature trees, particularly those fronting Bridle Path Road, is also seen as important.
People are concerned about the impact that 100 or more new households would have on our local roads, and argued that lower density building is the way to go. They noted the higher density option will lead to significant increases in
traffic volumes and road congestion, with Bridle Path Road, the Ferrymead Bridge, Martindales Road, Port Hills Road and our railway underpass being mentioned.
In relation to the traffic issues, most people who commented do not want Bridle Path Road to be widened. They argued it would only make traffic flow faster, thereby reducing safety and
encouraging boy racer activity. Any widening should include speed deterrents as part of
any upgrade to improve the safety of pedestrians, particularly school children, cyclists and other road users, such as horse-riders. Suggestions
included temporary speed restrictions, slow-zones, warning lights, traffic cameras and speed humps, roadside planting, variable road widths and setbacks.
Overwhelmingly, people want surplus land above the project, particularly areas deemed hazardous due to the risk of rockfall, to be acquired by the council as a reserve. This would allow public
access with a walkway, encourage birdlife and vegetation, help prevent rockfall danger and improve
visual amenity. Extensive tree planting, particularly natives, was requested by most people.
 Providing access through the Bridle Path site to the higher slopes was important to some, as
was the need to ensure any new amenities support the historical
significance of the Bridle Path.
A significant amount of feedback was received
on how to control the look of the project. Many people feel it should look like, and flow
on from, that in Morgans Valley, which was deemed by most as a good quality project. They worry that having a single builder may lead to 'bland, boring,
regimented' housing types, while having more than one is seen
as more likely to achieve variety.
Covenants were suggested by many as the best means to protect the character of the
area. It would be necessary to control design elements such as roof and building colours, general building design, limits to fencing types and heights and
restrictions on the amount of hard surfaces.
Other concerns voiced were the impact on Heathcote Valley School roll, especially as there is little room for the school to expand. Lower density building would better reflect the existing
semi-rural character of Heathcote Valley, which is one of the last such areas in close
proximity to the city. This would be more in keeping with adjoining projects such as
Morgans Valley, the surrounding landscape characteristics of the Port Hills, and the
historic character of the area. Fewer hard, impermeable surfaces would reduce stormwater run-off and the potential for flooding.
So now we know what people consider is appropriate on this Bridle Path Road site: fewer houses, larger section sizes, and to keep it all off the higher slopes by having a new reserve area, while using covenants to control the look of the project. But will Heathcote get what this site so obviously deserves? Will our submissions result in any addition to our valley being one we can be proud of? Let's hope so.
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