Resource Consents
When applying for resource consent for activities such as subdivisions, boundary adjustments and site development councils often require specialised soil and Land Use Capability (LUC) mapping to be carried out to assess highly productive land, prime and elite soils, highly versatile soils and high-quality soils.
HLM have been successfully completing soil and LUC mapping throughout New Zealand to assist with resource consent applications, from small boundary adjustment subdivisions through to large scale property developments and solar farm projects. HLM not only complete the site field work and reporting necessary for the initial application but also appear as an expert witness in council and Environment Court consent hearings.
Highly Productive Land Assessments
The National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL) came into effect in October 2022. This piece of legislation regulates what can be done on certain LUC classes of land that have a rural zoning.
As a specialist soil and LUC mapper HLM has been involved with this piece of legislation since it came into effect and has completed hundreds of HPL assessments throughout New Zealand.
We assist landowners, developers, planners and councils by:
-
Completing HPL assessments
-
Preparing HPL reports
-
Interpreting the NPS-HPL
-
Providing practical advice on compliance
-
Identifying development opportunities and constraints
-
Appearing as an expert witness in Council and Environment Court hearings
-
Peer reviewing HPL Reports
Prime, Elite, Highly Versatile and High-Quality Soils
Different councils use different terminology when identifying productive land.
Whether planning documents refer to:
-
Prime and elite soils
-
Highly versatile soils
-
High-class soils
The objective is the same - to protect and preserve New Zealand’s most productive soils.
HLM has been working with landowners for many years mapping these soils and helping them understand the classifications of their land and to meet council regulations.
Council and Environment Court Hearings
HLM have appeared as an HPL expert witness in council and environment court hearings and mediation hearings for applicants, councils and submitters. We provide professional and independent assessments and evidence to assist in navigating the requirements of the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land.