How to prepare a good quality resource consent applicationMe pēhea e whakarite i tētahi tono whakaaetanga rawa taiao kounga

Start with a good quality proposal

Your proposal is more likely to be approved if you work within council guidelines for development. The Napier City Council Operative District Plan zoning descriptions help guide you on the types of activities that are expected within each zone. You will also find objectives and policies on the way your neighbourhood is expected to look. For zone descriptions and help interpreting the rules, see what can I do in my zone?

What’s in a good quality application

A good quality application includes all the information required for all consents and approvals for your project. A resource consent is required when you do not comply with a rule in:

• the Napier City Council Operative District Plan or the Napier City Council Proposed District Plan in areas that have legal effect
• other relevant legislation such as a National Environmental Standard
• a legacy district Plan that still has legal effect.

It is important that your application accurately identifies all of the reasons that your project will need resource consent. Your consent application must include an Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE). An AEE is a written report identifying the effects of your proposed activity on the environment, and information on how you intend to negate or modify these effects. Your application will usually be processed faster if you have approached neighbours for their written approval. If you are applying for a resource consent online, follow the Guidelines for resource consent online applications.

National Environmental Standards (NES)

NES are nationwide regulations made under the Resource Management Act 1991.

They set out planning requirements and technical standards on a variety of specified activities that have an effect the environment, including forestry, freshwater use, electricity transmission and more.