Palmerston North City Council
Plan Change 15A Rural Zone and Rural Subdivision
Expert Evidence: Hudson Associates, Landscape Architects
Appendix B
Rural-Residential Overlay: Suggested Removals
Assessment of Landscape and Visual Effects
8 October 2015
To be printed in duplex
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Summary of Landscape Conclusions for Removals from Rural Residential Overlay
Area
Kahuterawa Road
Location
On the southern outskirts of the city, just
north-east of Linton Camp.
Landscape conclusions
Fitzherbert East Lower
Flat
Alongside Fitzherbert East Road (State
Highway 3), just north of Aokautere. On
the south side of Fitzherbert East
Above Turitea Road; start of Harts Road.
The area is not in the Operative Overlay.
This is an addition to operative plan and
was shown in the Overlay for PC15A.
Remove the Lower Flat landscape type from the Overlay. The Overlay should be set
back 250m from Fitzherbert Road in order to maintain the open rural character and
Lower Flat landscape type.
At the edge of the south-western boundary of
Palmerston North City, below the Te Mata
Slopes of the Tararuas.
Remove the area on the flats bounded by Tennent Drive and Scotts Road from the
Overlay.
Central Elevated Flats;
above Turitea Valley.
Tokomaru
Remove area abutting the state highway from the Overlay.
Appropriate for removal from the Overlay
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KAHUTERAWA ROAD
KAHUTERAWA
ROAD
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Area: Kahuterawa Road
Location On the southern outskirts of the city, just north-east of Linton Camp. Bounded by Kahuterawa on the
west, and Old West Road to the north. Roughly 2km to the entrance to the Turitea Valley, off Old West
Road
Existing Landscape Predominantly on the Central Elevated Flats (PN Landscape Inventory 2011), with a small area of Valley
Character landscape type in the top north corner. Terraces cut through with gullies, some steep. Predominantly in
pasture, with scattered plantation and tall vegetation around existing dwellings along Kahuterawa Road
and Old West Road. Strong rural character at the start of Kahuterawa Road, and on the elevated flats
behind the dwellings along Old West Road. Rural-residential character becomes more evident further
along Kahuterawa Road into the foothills, where there is development of varying lot sizes, from around
2-4ha and upwards. Dwellings in this area are typically well-set into landform and vegetation.
Visual Effects of Addition to Expansion and intensification of existing rural-residential development into elevated paddocks alongside
Overlay Kahuterawa Road and Old West Road. Dwellings are likely to be placed on the elevated terraces rather
than in the gullies, and so will be more visually prominent from the start of Kahuterawa Road (until
screened by planting). Likely to be less visually prominent from Old West Road due to topography and
screening by existing development and tall vegetation. Views into this area are already enclosed to a
large degree.
Landscape Character Effects Change of character from predominantly rural with a small amount of rural-residential, to strongly ruralof addition to Overlay residential. Is not inconsistent with built patterns in the general area, but will be more intensified
subdivision (1ha) on the flats than currently exists either on the flats or in the foothills. Is disconnected
from existing development in the foothills; appears to be isolated from infrastructure, raising questions
on sustainability.
Landscape Remove from the Overlay.
Conclusion
Recommended to Retain
in Overlay
View east
from
Kahuterawa
Road
Recommended to
Remove from Overlay
View
south
from Old
West
Road
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FITZHERBERT EAST LOWER FLAT
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Area: Fitzherbert East Lower Flat
Location Alongside Fitzherbert East Road (State Highway 3), just north of Aokautere. On the south side of Fitzherbert East
Road, (or the right-hand side of the road, as travelling north towards the Manawatu Gorge).
Existing Landscape A portion of the Fitzherbert East Lower Flat landscape type (Palmerston North Landscape Inventory 2011). This area
Character is a relatively narrow, flat strip of rural land at the base of the escarpment of the Northern Elevated Flats. There are
open views across the area, at times interrupted by shelterbelt-type plantings or groups of trees, with the area
feeling enclosed by the hills to the south (the elevated flats/terraces towards the Tararuas). Scattered built
development including a small number of rural dwellings and associated farm sheds, and the Tielcey Park Equestrian
Centre. Forms part of the strong rural character/context of this main entrance to Palmerston North City from the
Manawatu.
Visual Effects of Addition Visual fragmentation of the open rural landscape; intensification in an area where there are currently few structures.
to Overlay Flat topography means structures cannot be integrated into landform, although the terraces to the south do provide
a visual backdrop, and visual effects of structures could be mitigated with planting. Increased enclosure of the road
may result from amenity plantings associated with the more intense development. Increased number of access
points off State Highway 3 may also be possible.
Landscape Character Change of character from strongly rural to rural-residential. A change in character takes place just west of this area,
Effects of addition to where State Highway 3 passes through a pinch-point between the Manawatu River and the terrace escarpment, and
Overlay rural residential development and then residential areas start to occur at Aokautere. Intensification here to the level
permitted by the Overlay (1ha) will be inconsistent with the existing patterns north of that pitch-point. It is
appropriate that the existing rural character be maintained to this main entrance to the City.
Landscape Remove the Lower Flat landscape type from the Overlay. The Overlay should be set back 250m from Fitzherbert
Conclusion Road in order to maintain the open rural character and Lower Flat landscape type.
Views from State
Highway 3
(Fitzherbert East Road)
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Central Elevated Flats; above Turitea Valley.
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Area: Central Elevated Flats
Location Above Turitea Road; start of Harts Road. The area is not in the Operative Overlay. This is an addition to operative plan
and was shown in the Overlay for PC15A.
Recommended for
Removal from Overlay
Existing Landscape Central Elevated Flats, part of the Terrace and Plain landscape type (Palmerston North Landscape Inventory 2011). This
Character elevated area of pastureland sits above and to the west of the Turitea Valley, at some distance from the foothills to the
east. There is strong open rural character here, with long unbroken views across grazing paddocks. The land is open and
rolling-flat – un-fragmented visually by gullies or tall vegetation. The open character contrasts with the existing ruralresidential development through the Turitea Valley below, and in the foothills to the east. Some rural residential
development has crept out onto the foothills at Oram Drive.
Currently this area forms part of the rural context for existing rural residential development, and also provides a rural
outlook for residential development along Pacific Drive.
Visual Effects of Addition to Intensification of structures, visual fragmentation of the open pastureland. Lack of variation and topography means that
Overlay structures will be more visually prominent until screened by vegetation. Further enclosure of views from Harts Road
likely to result from amenity plantings associated with the more intense development.
Landscape Character Effects Change of character from strongly rural to rural-residential, with associated loss of rural amenity and context. Currently
of addition to Overlay rural residential development in this area exists mainly in the Turitea Valley and in the foothills, and these are the
preferred areas for development as structures can be more easily absorbed into landform. Intensification here will erode
the role this area plays as rural context for existing development, and will mean a spread of development both towards
Oram Drive, and towards other rural residential areas to the west at Kahuterawa Road.
Landscape Appropriate for removal from the Overlay
Conclusion
Views from
Harts Road
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TOKOMARU
TOKOMARU
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Area: Tokomaru
Location At the edge of the south-western boundary of Palmerston North City, below the Te Mata Slopes of the Tararuas. Two
proposed areas of Overlay – the first just below the base of the foothills; and the second further out onto the plains, bounded
to the north by Tennent Drive, and to the east by Scotts Road.
Existing Landscape Character Rolling Flat landscape type, part of the Terrace and Plain landscape as defined by the Palmerston North Landscape Inventory
2011. The area comprises expansive open rolling pastureland on terraces, broken by small valleys and gullies (some with quite
steep sides) draining to the lower flats. Predominantly pasture, with scattered plantations and some areas of taller vegetation
in gullies; some gullies reverting to native vegetation, especially in the foothills. Strong open rural character across the flats,
with long unbroken views. A few small subdivided lots along Scotts Road on the flats. More subdivision on Scotts Road at the
foothills, with variable lot size (many around 4ha). Open rural character dominates on the flats.
Visual Effects of Addition to At the foothills the varied topography and quite extensive existing taller vegetation will allow further structures (dwellings) to
Overlay be absorbed visually into the landscape. The foothills to the south also provide an immediate backdrop which will further
absorb development.
Flats
Foothills
On the flats, while there is some variation in the landform on the proposed area, most structures are likely to be placed on the
terraces, where they will be more visually dominant and tall planting will be needed to integrate them into their surroundings.
There will be some loss of existing open rural views from some stretches of road associated with planting around dwellings.
Landscape Character Effects At the foothills further subdivision will fit with the existing pattern of development and build on existing rural-residential
of addition to Overlay character.
On the flats subdivision into lot sizes allowed by the Overlay (1ha) will appear as a “spot” of intensive development in an open
landscape. Like the proposed Overlay area further north at Kahuterawa Road, this area is isolated and not well connected to
existing development or infrastructure. This area has even less existing rural-residential subdivision around it than the
proposed Overlay area at Kahuterawa Road, and intensive development here may seem an anomaly. Inclusion of this area in
the Overlay does not appear to fit with Council objectives with regards to connectivity and sustainability.
Flats –
recommend to
remove
Landscape Remove the area on the flats generally bounded by Tennent Drive and Scotts Road from the Overlay.
Conclusion
Foothills –
recommend to
remain
Approximate to remove
Approximate to remain
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