Lyon St in Featherston is in the outer residential growth area. PHOTO/EMILY IRELAND
South Wairarapa councillors are set to adopt the district’s spatial plan on Wednesday. Local Democracy reporter Emily Ireland looks at what that means for Featherston.
Based on current projections, future population growth in Featherston is likely to increase by about 800 people within the next 30 years.
South Wairarapa District Council’s [SWDC] soon-to be approved spatial plan hopes to address this growth by allowing transit-oriented development near the town’s rail station.
It is also set to free up more than 40 hectares in the town’s outer reaches for residential lifestyle development.
These lots would be from 2000m2 to 4000m2 each with master planning to retain a rural look and feel.
The Wellington Regional Growth Framework identifies Featherston as an area of urban renewal and a growth node within 1km of the station.
But the existing urban area and zoning is not consistent with the Draft Greater Wellington Regional Growth Framework, which has an emerging direction for nodal development with more choice for housing and employment in the Wairarapa.
Earlier this year, the Featherston growth node option was published for public consultation as well as two additional areas north and south of the town for residential lifestyle.
Of 99 submissions, 63 per cent generally supported the three growth areas and there was a strong message that options should be “available for all, including first home buyers, kaumatua, elderly, and those who need social housing”.
Of those who did not support the growth options, concerns included the size of future sections, reduction in character, and natural hazards.
All of these matters would be taken into account in the master planning process, SDWC said.
A report to councillors said the master planning would include residential, commercial, and industrial zones, while integrating development with transport and infrastructure.
“The design characteristics, specific lot sizes and infrastructure development and costings will be undertaken as part of the structure and master planning process to follow,” the report said.
The residential lifestyle area south of Featherston is 16.5ha and is in the vicinity of Waite St, Woodward St East, and Hart St.
The northern area is 26.2ha and is in the vicinity of Underhill Rd.
Master planning and structure planning is set to be done in the next two years.
Up next: Martinborough. – NZLDR
