Pre-application meeting

Any request by an Applicant (or their Agent) for a pre-application meeting will be considered once an application and supporting documentation is received and we have a better understanding of the level/scale of advice needed.

The pre-application service is particularly useful in ensuring that you provide all the information you need with your resource consent application.

Identifying up front what you need to gather in relation to this will help avoid possible delays in obtaining missing information further down the track.

What you need to provide

When making an application for pre-application advice, please provide as a minimum, the following information:

• A description of the proposal (don’t just state “subdivision of land” for example).
• A scheme plan
• A list of District Plan non-compliances associated with the proposed activity that you have identified
• Specific questions (not generic such as “can I subdivide my land”). Think about the specific matters you need Council to confirm or provide advice on.
• A list of attendees at the meeting (Planning professional, geotechnical engineer etc)

If this information isn’t provided upfront, we may need to request it, which could result in a delay in providing advice.

Types of developments this service is catered for: 

• Greenfield developments
• Retirement village
• New infrastructure (including upgrade of existing)
• New buildings in the City Centre
• Alterations to or removal of a heritage building
• Childcare Centre
• New commercial or industrial development
• Papakainga housing
• Multi-unit residential development

Not provided as part of this service

• Confirmation of all the information you will need to provide with a resource consent application.
• Confirmation of who may be affected by the proposal and/or whether the application will be notified.
• Identifying all District Plan non-compliances associated with a proposed activity.
• Building consent enquiries. Please direct these to our Building Team: enquiries@npdc.govt.nz 
• Any public network enquiries (i.e., roading or three waters enquiries). For these, please phone our contact centre on 06 759 6060 initiate discussions with these departments.
• Any enquiries regarding public reserves (whether existing or proposed).
• To understand whether you need to pay development contributions, please refer to the information here.
• Duty planning enquiries. Please contact our contact centre between 10am-2pm Monday to Friday to speak to one of our planners.

If you need further help putting together an application or understanding the consenting process, please engage the services of a professional planning consultant or surveyor to assist with your application.

How to request pre-application service

You can request a pre-application service by filling out the form provided below and emailing it to resourceconsentsadmin@npdc.govt.nz 

Provide us with as much information as you can about your project on this form as this will help us to tailor our advice to what you need.

Request for pre-application advice form

Cost

The first meeting of this service is free. Any follow up information, site visits or external information will be charged at the relevant officer’s hourly rate in accordance with the fees and charges schedule. here. 

The costs related to this service include but are not limited to administration, research, meeting time (if required), writing and distribution of notes and any additional meetings (if required).

Terms and Conditions 

• The purpose of a pre-application meeting is to facilitate communication between applicants and the council so the applicant can make informed decisions about applying for resource consent.
• If the proposal changes between the pre-application meeting and the application, the information given by NPDC staff at the pre-application stage may cease to be accurate or relevant.
• The information given by council staff in or following a pre-application meeting are those officers’ preliminary views, made in good faith, on the applicant's proposal. The council makes no warranty, express or implied, nor assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness, completeness or use of any information or views communicated as part of the pre-application process.
• The applicant is not required to amend their proposal to accommodate the views expressed by council staff, nor to comply with any suggestions made by council staff. Further, it remains the applicant’s responsibility to get their own professional planning and legal advice when making any application for resource consents and to rely solely on that advice, in making any application for resource consents.