Imagine another 29,900 people living in Hastings and how it will impact local neighbourhoods.
With the region’s population projected to grow from 91,900 in 2023 to as many as 121,800 by 2053, Hastings District Council is calling on residents to have their say on the new Local Area Plan (LAP) programme.
Hastings District Council says one of the options is to build up rather than out.
The council’s programme manager for local area plans, Rebecca Sutton, said it was impossible to know if there would be any quarter-acre sections in town in 20 years’ time.
Sutton said this was what the consultation was for — to hear what the community’s future housing aspirations are.
“This is all about choice for people, the sites within the LAP areas are privately owned and people will have their own aspirations as to what they want to do with them, if anything at all,” Sutton said.
“This is an opportunity to explore different housing choices, all within the parameters of good urban design that creates cohesive and sustainable neighbourhoods.”
Aligned with the draft Future Development Strategy and the Hastings Medium Density Housing Strategy, LAPs guide sustainable growth within the city.
The council says strategic planning is essential to balance housing needs, infrastructure improvements, and the protection of fertile soils.
The first part of the plan consists of four key areas;
- Residential intensification in two areas, near Cornwall Park and the central city
- Medium-density housing near Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers Memorial Hospital and Kaweka private hospital
- Mixed-use developments along Heretaunga Street West, blending residential and commercial spaces and redevelopment of commercial and industrial zones into mixed-use residential areas, covering the largest and most diverse area.
The locations were identified through the Medium Density Housing Strategy as ideal for intensification due to their proximity to infrastructure and services.
Asked if “residential intensification near Cornwall Park and the central city” meant taking space from the park for housing, Sutton said the council valued its parks.
“Which is why they are included as green spaces that the LAPs are anchored around.”
The LAPs focus on creating future intensification around existing public amenity spaces and services to create vibrant communities, while identifying where additional green spaces may be needed, Sutton said.
“Residential intensification can take many forms, building up is one option to accommodate more housing within our urban footprint.”
She said the consultation process was one tool to build sustainable neighbourhoods.
“It helps us ensure growth through residential intensification is suitably supported by adequate and high-quality green spaces, appropriately located and accessible amenities, efficient roads and other infrastructure, and nearby services such as schools and doctors.”
She said when providing feedback, the public should think about how they want their communities to look.
“They should detail what’s important to them in their neighbourhoods when going about their day-to-day life and what improvements they would like to see made – essentially their vision of how their neighbourhoods would look and function with higher density housing options.”
Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the Local Area Plans allow everyone to have their say on how we can create vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods for generations to come.
“We are asking our community to help shape a future that balances housing needs, protects our natural environment, and ensures our infrastructure can meet the demands of tomorrow.”
The consultation runs until December 20. Visit https://lap.myvoicemychoice.co.nz/ to explore the plans and provide feedback.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air