TelferYoung Limited
Farm Park Subdivision
19 July 2007
Although this is not a new concept of subdivision it is a form of subdivision that has not been so widely used in the past in Hawkes Bay.
In 2003 the Hastings District Council District Plan became Operative and effectively closed the door for subdivision for a number of property owners in the Plains Zone. In board terms prior to 2003 it was possible to subdivide suitable existing titles to a minimum site area of 6.0 hectares. Changes to the District Plan lifted the minimum site area to 12.0 hectares. The purpose of this was to prevent the continued fracture of what is regarded as the most fertile and productive soils and land class on the Heretaunga Plains.
This change in Planning meant that developers have had to look for alternative opportunities. This has meant looking at less productive land classes and soil types and alternative development options within the new District Plan framework. The farm park options is a form of development that has become more popular. It has allowed developers to create desirable house sites within a rural environment while the balance of the land is either leased or managed by an independent person.
There are two zones within the District Plan that allow farm park subdivision. These are the Rural Zone and the Rural Residential Zone. The minimum site areas are the same for both zones being 2500 square metres. The minimum balance area to be retained as productive land is 92 percent and 75 percent respectively for each zone.
In Hawkes Bay we have seen less productive areas in the Poriati, Bayview and Wharerangi districts have been rezoned and a number of Farm Park sites offered on the market. The uptake of sites has been steady as the public become aware of the concept.
The latest Farm Park development in Hawkes Bay is 'Park Hill Estate' at Haumoana some 15 kilometres east of Hastings City. The subject property comprises some 72 hectares with development well underway to create some 36 rural residential sites. The focus of this development is to provide a 'relaxed rural living within a fully managed pastoral farm and vineyard development'. Sites within this development have been specifically chosen for privacy and views. The development is targeted at the upper end of the market and with sites ranging from 2500 square metres and 7000 square metres and prices ranging from $350,000 to $1,295,000.
The lesser value sites have a pleasant low elevation rural outlook with the higher price sites occupying elevated sites and having widespread ocean views including Cape Kidnappers in the distance for many sites. The development will provide protective covenants for proposed development and landscaping to protect the Parkhill concept and character to preserve long term property values.
I believe that this a sustainable and desirable form of development within a rural environment to provide building sites within close proximity to town centres while retaining some commercial productive capacity of the remaining rural land. The concept of the Parkhill Farm development has been very well researched and the concept extremely well presented. This development may well set a benchmark for developments of this nature in the future. If you would like to see the concept plan and more information on Parkhill Farm Park you can visit the website www.parkhillfarm.co.nz
Andrew Chambers
This monthly paper reflects the views of the writer and may not represent the views of all TelferYoung staff.