5 TOP TIPS FOR DEALING WITH COUNCIL
Common traps to avoid when dealing with council
While Building Consents & Resource Consents have similarities, it’s important to acknowledge that Resource Consent should take place beforehand. Any conditions in your approved Resource Consent will need to be implemented & are separate to those of the Building Consent.
Avoid the timeframe pitfall. Be aware that councils are under as much pressure as the construction industry & as such, the timeline of Resource Consent & Building Consent varies from project to project. While a statutory 20 days is given for processing a Resource Consent, there are many things that can affect or delay this time period, which is often misinterpreted as a guaranteed timeframe.
At ASAP Plans, we can also provide you with an experienced consultant to oversee your Resource Consent, from beginning through to completion of your housing development. Once approval is granted, we can monitor your consent & ensure all conditions are satisfied.
Our top tips for dealing with council
- Have a good general knowledge of the District Plans, Resource Management Act, Building Act & the Building Consent Process. This assists the dialogue between parties on determining the compliance requirements requested by local councils. This can help to guide your purchase of the appropriate site.
- Have a good understanding of an acceptable solution & alternative solution in determining compliance. Acceptable solutions are the most common compliance path, while some councils are open to alternative solutions – however these require expert opinions & supporting documents to justify compliance. If you’re considering alternative solutions for your Building Consent, make sure you gather all supporting evidence first.
- The Resource Management Act states that councils have a statutory 20 days to process the non-notified Resource Consent applications. However, if the council requires more information to determine compliance, this will pause the total deadline time until the requested information has been supplied. Councils will also vary in the amount of work pressure they are under & the number of projects they are considering consent for at any given time.
- The importance of pre-application meetings should not be overlooked. Not only does it give you a chance to start building a good rapport with council on your project, it also gives you the opportunity to address potential issues & conflicts that may arise in the future of your development. This minimises delay on construction, allows for a good channel of communication with council & promotes the idea that your development is one that is benefiting the local housing market. A small meeting in the early stages of your project can save you ample time in the future.
- Work with experience. Resource Consent management is a labour-intensive & time-consuming process. It’s easy to miss something or misinterpret part of your project or consent, which is where our expert team can help. With our experience & expertise on your side, you’ll have the advantage of a knowledgeable team who live & breathe Resource Consents for large subdivisions or housing developments.
If you’re looking for advice on dealing with councils throughout New Zealand, we can help from the design stage through to completion of your development.
Strong relationships with local councils across New Zealand
At ASAP Plans, we have a separate team solely dedicated to managing the consent process. We work with councils & submit plans for Resource Consents & Building Consents anywhere in the country.
Our team of experts take care of any queries from your local council. We will provide the correct documentation & supporting information to deal with any issues that may arise.
As a leader in our industry, our team works with councils across the country on a daily basis, keeping abreast of all regulations & any changes, all while getting housing developments off the ground. We know the different local requirements of each area of New Zealand & know who to talk to get things done promptly & correctly.
If you need help from a team who live & breathe council processing, contact our team today.
Let us help you streamline your Resource Consent & Building Consent process on our next project. Contact our team today on 0800 272 775, or send an enquiry below.