Urban Design

The Nelson Tasman region provides an irresistible blend of lifestyle and natural beauty at the top northwest corner of the South Island. The region also has a rich built fabric with a large number of heritage buildings, places and objects, open space areas and recreational opportunities.

It is important that the region’s built environment is of a standard to match the natural beauty of the region, and allows people to enjoy living, working and visiting the region.

Improving urban design is a priority for both Nelson City and Tasman District Councils. Both are signatories to the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol. 

The establishment of an Urban Design Panel is a key way of spearheading better urban design outcomes.

Urban Design Panel

The Urban Design Panel is a group of experienced and qualified professionals who provide free independent design reviews for projects from both private developers and the Councils.

While the Panel can’t decide on Resource Consent applications, it can provide expert advice and clear recommendations on the design of the proposal and how it might be improved well before a resource consent application is made.

The Panel includes both local urban design expertise as well as other members who have served on a panel elsewhere in New Zealand. Find out more about the members of the Urban Design Panel.

What the Panel can provide

Panel members will consider your project and provide constructive criticism, advice and a written report, including recommendations, within five days.  Projects will be considered against best urban design practice and the urban design objectives and policies  of the relevant Council.

The Panel may look at:

  • General design principles including scale, composition and architecture;
  • The relationship of the building to the street, public spaces and surrounding natural features;
  • The design of pedestrian and vehicle entrances and connectivity;
  • The amenity and quality of outdoor spaces;
  • How to integrate artworks into the development;
  • Sustainability principles including water heating, lighting, heating, stormwater management and energy use minimisation;
  • Safety for users and passers by;
  • Outlook, sunlight access, visual and acoustic privacy, ventilation, size and design;
  • Protection of listed heritage buildings and sites.

The purpose of the Panel is not to delay projects or to create additional difficulties for developers. The idea is to provide urban design advice in a positive way that can assist in achieving a good design and help with the resource consent process. Panel members will be required to keep all information provided to them in their role confidential.

Making a proposal to the Panel

All developers who have projects with urban design significance are invited and encouraged to contact the relevant Council to seek advice from the Panel well before applying for resource consent. The Panel will also consider any Council capital project that has significant urban design implications.

The Councils are offering the services of the Panel especially to developers of:

  • comprehensive and compact residential developments;
  • buildings in the commercial, mixed business, tourist services and central business zones;
  • buildings in township gateway areas; and
  • other major projects in the region.

How to appear before the panel

Attendance at the Urban Design Panel is voluntary and free. The Panel meets on demand and as required. Developers who wish to appear before the Panel should contact the representative at the appropriate Council.

Nelson

Martin Workman, Manager Environmental Policy
+64 3 546 0431 or by email.

Tasman

Jeremy Butler, Principal Resource Consents Adviser
+64 3 543 8589 or by email.

The Councils will need a minimum of 3 weeks notice (15 working days) if you wish to present your design or development.

Information required to present to the panel

The specific information required from developers who wish to present to the Panel is outlined in the Urban Design Panel – Checklist that can be downloaded below. Submit the information to the Panel administrator a minimum of 2 weeks (10 working days) before the Panel’s meeting.
 
In general terms, your presentation to the Panel should:

  • Introduce the site in its context
  • Alert the panel to any issues connected with the design
  • Promotion of the strengths of the design
  • Provision of a rationale for the design choices that have been made; and
  • Identify constraints

Cost

There will be no charge for the use of the Panel in the first twelve month trial period (starting November 2009).

Future costs to applicants for the use of the Panel will be confirmed after the trial, and will depend on the success of the Panel.  If it is used and it provides great outcomes then it may continue as a valuable resource into the future.

Downloads

Download the Urban Design Panel guide (PDF @ 195KB).

Download the Urban Design Panel Application (PDF @ 35KB).

Download the Urban Design Panel checklist for applicants (PDF @ 10KB).

Find out more

Contact either Nelson City Council on +64 3 546 0200 or Tasman District Council on +64 3 543 8400.

 

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