Granny flats in the Western Bay of Plenty have been allowed to expand in recognition of their changing uses.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has decided to increase the size of minor dwellings from 50 square metres to 60 square metres in its decisions to the new District Plan released this week.
The distance of 20m from the main dwelling has been retained.

Rules are changing on the allowed size of granny flats in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Councillors agreed that 50 square metres is no longer enough room to provide living space for elderly people. The decision is also recognition that minor dwellings are not solely used by elderly family members, they are also used for additional family space or for rental accommodation.
An area of 60 square metres will allow more living flexibility with a fair level of financial contribution set at 50 per cent of normal fees.

Rural Yards

A 30-metre distance between the house and the boundary will be compulsory on all rural properties under the proposed District Plan.
The distance is to protect rural amenity and reduce conflict with neighbouring activities such as spray drift. Titles of 1ha or less will be exempt from this rule. Exemptions will also be made for house sites approved as part of a previous subdivision that was applied for before the Proposed Plan was notified. Other exemptions can be made where topographical or productivity reasons would mean the reduction of the 30-metre yard distance would lead to better use of the land.

Protection Lots

House lots can still be swapped for ecological protection areas under the proposed District Plan.
Protected features can include a wetland, vegetation along a stream or river, or a stand of native forest.
The protection has to be permanent; in perpetuity legally and physically. The qualifying area for native forest has been raised, but left the same for wetlands and riparian margins. In exchange for this protection council will allow on-site subdivision on the same title for up to five additional lots based on the size of the protected feature. These lots are to be a maximum of 1ha.
The Transferable Protection Lot rule has been retained but such lots can only be transferred to the Lifestyle Zones.