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“This site is too important for compromises - Linda Harrison.” [Editor: In response to the proposed hillside building plans your feedback is on its way. Thanks for doing it Heathcote, it is much appreciated. Don't know what's happening? Take a look here for details. Some of you have kindly agreed to share your feedback with visitors to this site, here are some quotes.]
What Linda Harrison has to say should give any planner pause for thought:
"If the Bridle Path Road horticultural area is subdivided, we will have lost the last of this defining characteristic of Heathcote and the valley will be little more than an anonymous residential suburb."
"The statement quoted in the draft plan that housing on this land would ‘round off the Heathcote community’ is nonsense."
"Surveyed residents unanimously said they were attracted to Heathcote for its smallness and quietness, the very things that are being rapidly changed."
[Thanks Linda, read all of her feedback here.]
Janette Ashton wants bigger sections with a reserve on the upper slopes:
"I would like to express my preference for Option 2 with the proviso that the sections be no smaller than 750m2, giving a similar development feature as Morgans Valley. Preferably the remaining land would be made into a reserve for residents and visitors to explore and enjoy at their leisure. Thereby keeping the rural ambiance of the Heathcote Valley. I do have concerns that the local school has little room for expansion. Also that Bridle Path Road being the access to this new development needs attention in regard to pedestrian and increased traffic ... I would like for us to put our best image forward and not portray us as a condensed housing estate."
Hugh Matthews says we can only get bigger sections and a reserve if we get them to change Option 2:
"As presented, all of the development options are completely inappropriate for the Heathcote Valley. Under Option 2, we lose the lower slopes to tiny 450m2 section sizes; Option 4 increases the size to 700m2, but puts houses on the upper slopes too. Instead, I suggest an amended Option 2 is the way forward. These amendments are to make the section size a minimum of 800m2 and for the Christchurch City Council to buy the extra areas that would have been used for Options 3 and 4 as reserve."
Ian McLeod prefers Option 4 for the following reasons:
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The larger section sizes of 700m2 to 1500m2 making for a more open appearance.
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The sections will have a higher percentage of vegetated surface, as opposed to hard surface, allowing more ground absorption of rainfall.
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There will be more room for trees to be planted within the development area, so retaining more of a rural quality.
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The development will be spread over the greatest area possible while it will still be possible to manage the potential hazard.
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The proposal to have very high density (450 – 550m2 in the 90 set back from Bridle Path Rd) along Bridle Path Road is an anathema and quite in opposition to the semi rural village atmosphere that Heathcote presently enjoys.
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LHA zone allows only for minimum size of 1500m2 and although The City Plan already recognizes 850m2 in a neighbouring LHA zone to go down to 450 – 500m2 is too small.
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