Developer says council's 30m length rules for terraced housing will add unnecessary costs for buyers

Saturday, 6 June 2026

Brooksfield director Vinny Holloway, pictured in front of their Bunyon Street homes in Waltham, is concerned by new council design rules.

Christchurch housing developer Brooksfield says new council design rules create extra risks for developers and will make terraced homes dearer for buyers.

The company has built a reputation building heritage-style homes in the city’s suburbs, some of which are in long rows, or terraces.

Christchurch City Council had introduced rules for neighbourhoods zoned for medium-density housing, not including the central city. They include restricting the length of a residential building to 30 metres, unless otherwise permitted by a resource consent.

Brooksfield heritage-inspired townhouses on Selwyn Street.

Brooksfield director Vinny Holloway said they have built several complexes longer than that, and the homes are very popular with buyers.

Building more external walls and corners to divide buildings into smaller blocks would add about $5000 to the cost of each home, he said.

“In construction, corners are where a lot of money goes.

“Terraced housing is a really beautiful way to build, and a really effective way to build homes economically. Buyers love them.

Brooksfield managing directors Oliver Hickman, left, and Vincent Holloway in front of housing they built on Hastings Street West in Christchurch. This row of 10 homes, at more than 45m in length, would not be allowed under new city council rules unless permitted by a resource consent.

“It means we can spend more on the stuff that matters for buyers, and the quality of the build. $5000 goes a long way on flooring, carpeting, tiles, taps and door knobs.”

The company’s developments include a 45m long row of homes on Bunyan St in Waltham, and a 30m plus row on the corner of Opawa Rd and Ensors Rd in Opawa.

Their longer blocks include about 10 homes, while the council rule would require a block for every five or six at the size they build them, he said.

The Blackheath buildings in Sydenham were built as terraced housing in the 19th century, and are now used as commercial premises.

Holloway said while a resource consent might permit a longer building, the new rule “means the council has discretion over it, and that increases the risk for the developer”.

“It becomes one of those things where council can dig in its heels if it wants to.”

Brooksfield recently ran foul of city council planners who rejected its design for a neo-Georgian style apartments near the Arts Centre and art gallery on the grounds it did not suit its surroundings. The company said the redesign caused long delays and cost it $800,000.

Holloway said he understands the council does not want “30 metres of ugly concrete block, with no interest or texture”.

Part of Growcott Freer’s design for its housing development at 888 Colombo St.

“Done the wrong way, they are the worst. But the best architecture in Christchurch is simple, with texture and depth.”

Terraced construction done well can be seen all over European cities, he said, and he points to New Regent St in the central city as a good local example.

“They are trying to define beauty with a set of rules, and you just can’t.”

Isaac Freer, a director of housing development company Growcott Freer, said while longer blocks suit some terrace styles, his company’s modern designs mostly have shorter blocks allowing more windows for corner homes.

Freer said they put a 48m-long building into their central city development on Colombo St after the council asked them to join smaller buildings to make a larger one.

“Sometimes (the planning rules) can get a bit much. It can be an issue.”

Williams Corporation managing director Blair Chappell said while none of their housing blocks exceed 30m in length, rules need to be clear and make sense.

“Thirty metres seems a fair measurement. But council should be able to explain what they are trying to achieve.

“If they are worried about how it looks if it’s long, that’s why we have urban design input in the consenting process.”

Christchurch City Council’s head of planning and consents, Mark Stevenson, said building length is considered among other aspects of design in the resource consenting process.

“In addition to visual interest, the application requires the consideration of broader amenity matters including scale, design treatment and general amenity for neighbours.”