Our planning team excels in all facets of resource management and planning.

This experience and knowledge provides us with a well-rounded understanding of the consenting process and an in-depth understanding of the applicable rules and regulatory framework.

Collaborating across disciplines, including urban design, landscape architects, transport engineers and environmental sciences, we deliver comprehensive and innovative solutions. Our strong, long-standing relationships with key stakeholders further enhance our ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and deliver successful outcomes.

Whether it is overseeing large-scale land developments, facilitating private plan changes, or offering tailored site-specific advice, our planning team is dedicated to guiding your project from inception to completion. With meticulous attention to detail, we prepare all necessary documentation and, when required, present expert evidence at local council and Environment Court hearings.

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PLANNING EXPERTISE:
Resource consent applications including residential, industrial, commercial and rural, subdivision and land use
Assessment of environmental effects (AEE)
Property development advice including feasibility studies
Consultation with affected parties including local runanga (iwi governing body) and key stakeholders
Master planning
Preparation and presentation of expert planning evidence at consent hearings
Private plan changes
Regional council consenting (operational and construction phase)
Submissions to notified resource consent applications, district and regional plans and strategies
Project management and coordination of specialist services
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Our people
VIEW PEOPLE
DAMIENNE Damienne Donaldson – Principal Planner
DOWEB_Peope_Pauline_Hadfield Pauline Hadfield – Planner
RUSSELL Russell Benge – Director, Licensed Cadastral Surveyor
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a resource consent?
How do I know if I need a resource consent?
How long do resource consents take?
Who is involved in the resource consent process?

A resource consent is a formal approval needed when a building or activity contravenes rules in District Plans or Regional Plans, or where one of these plans states that resource consent is required for a particular activity. Resource consent is also needed for all subdivision of land. Resource consents are sometimes referred to as ‘land use consents’, depending on the type of project.

 

There are different categories of resource consents, set up in a hierarchy from controlled activities, to non-complying activities. The different types of activities require different types of assessment.

Not all activities need resource consent. Some buildings and activities are permitted under the relevant district and regional plans and can be undertaken without resource consent. You will need resource consent if you do not meet a rule in the district or regional plan applying to your land.

 

These documents are available online, but are often difficult to navigate and even more difficult to find the rules that affect your particular development. Our team has extensive planning experience and can assist you with identifying what aspects of your proposal require resource consent and provide an assessment of the environmental effects associated with them.

If your application is non-notified (does not need public input), the Resource Management Act 1991 requires the local authority to issue their decision, if all the necessary information has been provided, within 20 working days. . Often further information requests are made by the local authority during this time and an application will be put on hold until the requested  information has been provided.

 

If your application is ‘limited notified’ or ‘fully notified’ the process may take three months or more, particularly if public submissions have been received and a public hearing is required.

A resource consent may require the involvement of other specialists such as (but not limited to) a traffic engineer, architect and landscape architect. We have a wide network of related and trusted professional contacts that we can call on and manage on your behalf.  We are here to make the process as stress-free and seamless as possible for you. Contact us to discuss your planning requirements.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a resource consent?

A resource consent is a formal approval needed when a building or activity contravenes rules in District Plans or Regional Plans, or where one of these plans states that resource consent is required for a particular activity. Resource consent is also needed for all subdivision of land. Resource consents are sometimes referred to as ‘land use consents’, depending on the type of project.

 

There are different categories of resource consents, set up in a hierarchy from controlled activities, to non-complying activities. The different types of activities require different types of assessment.

How do I know if I need a resource consent?

Not all activities need resource consent. Some buildings and activities are permitted under the relevant district and regional plans and can be undertaken without resource consent. You will need resource consent if you do not meet a rule in the district or regional plan applying to your land.

 

These documents are available online, but are often difficult to navigate and even more difficult to find the rules that affect your particular development. Our team has extensive planning experience and can assist you with identifying what aspects of your proposal require resource consent and provide an assessment of the environmental effects associated with them.

How long do resource consents take?

If your application is non-notified (does not need public input), the Resource Management Act 1991 requires the local authority to issue their decision, if all the necessary information has been provided, within 20 working days. . Often further information requests are made by the local authority during this time and an application will be put on hold until the requested  information has been provided.

 

If your application is ‘limited notified’ or ‘fully notified’ the process may take three months or more, particularly if public submissions have been received and a public hearing is required.

Who is involved in the resource consent process?

A resource consent may require the involvement of other specialists such as (but not limited to) a traffic engineer, architect and landscape architect. We have a wide network of related and trusted professional contacts that we can call on and manage on your behalf.  We are here to make the process as stress-free and seamless as possible for you. Contact us to discuss your planning requirements.

Projects
View Projects
Digger and truck in a field on a sunny day Amberley Country Estate – Planning
Aerial view of a subdivision in Nelson Berryfields – Planning
DOWEB_Photo_Project_Laurelwood_F-new Laurelwood – Planning
Black and white panel with the words Te Uaka Lyttelton Museum Te Uaka Lyttelton Museum – Planning
DOWEB_Photo_Project_Opuke_1630x1600 Ōpuke Hot Pools – Civil Engineering
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Our experienced planning team specialises in all aspects of resource management planning. Whether it’s overseeing large-scale land developments, facilitating private plan changes, or providing site-specific planning advice, our team is well-versed in navigating the complexities of this field.

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