Govt also concerned at development restrictions

1:00 pm on 13 October 2011

The Government has joined those concerned about the restrictions on developers in the Christchurch City Council's plans for the earthquake-damaged central city.

Elements of the draft plan, including restrictions on building heights and prescriptive design standards, have been criticised by developers as potentially putting off investment.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority says the Government is concerned some aspects of the plan may impact on the economic feasibility of the rebuilding effort and do not adequately consider the need to future-proof investment in the city.

It singles out the restriction on building heights to seven storeys, saying that that - along with likely higher rebuilding costs - may hinder property investment.