Consultation open

We’re investigating potential future uses of Akaroa’s “BP Meats” site, at 67-67A Rue Lavaud, and want to hear your vision for this unique piece of land that presents an exciting opportunity for Akaroa.

Your feedback will help inform a draft plan for the site, which is the only piece of vacant commercially zoned land owned by the Council within the Akaroa township, excluding its access lot that is zoned residential.

All ideas raised will be considered along with economic and other technical data and analysis and the recently updated section D of the section D of the section D of the section D of the Akaroa Places and Spaces Plan, which identifies some potential land use options for the site.

This information will be used by staff to develop preferred land use options that will be presented to the Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula Community Board and then shared with the community for further feedback before the future use of the land is decided.

The Council will consider delivery options once a desired use(s) is determined through the above process.

The site

The 2,968m² site, located in the northern commercial area of Akaroa’s town centre, was originally purchased by the former Banks Peninsula District Council in 2000. Ownership transferred to the Christchurch City Council following amalgamation in 2006.

Akaroa and the wider Akaroa Harbour is of great cultural significance to Ngāi Tahu. Christchurch City Council is working closely with Ōnuku Rūnanga, to ensure they have the opportunity to share their potential land use ideas for the site for consideration alongside others from the community.

Cultural narrative provided by Ōnuku Rūnanga

The Council is also working closely with lease holders, keeping them informed about potential development of the site and inviting them to share any ideas for future land uses.

View our interactive map below to find out more about what is currently on the site.

Guiding principles for development

The best use(s) of the site will be achieved by ensuring that any development proposal:

Opportunities and constraints

There are various potential land uses for the site, which is big enough to accommodate multiple uses that can exist harmoniously and benefit the community. However, for suggested future land uses to be considered there are certain criteria that must be met.

Positives of the site include its:

  • large size, at 2,968m2 in total;
  • flat, relatively rectangular site shape, gently sloped toward to Rue Lavaud;
  • central location with the northern commercial area of Akaroa, as well as street frontage on Rue Lavaud – one the main streets in the historic seaside town;
  • lack of heritage listed items/buildings, increasing its potential uses;
  • zoning under the Christchurch District Plan, allowing a wide range of land use activities including residential, retail and community activities; and
  • opportunity to enhance of the adjacent Balguerie Stream through a site layout that makes the most of the stream amenity, access improvements and riparian planting.
  • Statutory and regulatory compliance
    Any development must comply with relevant regulation like the Christchurch District Plan, noting that any non-compliance could be addressed through the Resource Consent process, and Building Code.
  • Meeting design guidelines
    Design guidelines exist in Appendix 15.15.7 of the Christchurch District Plan to ensure that any development reflects the surrounding character and does not have any significant effects on adjoining land use activities.
  • Commercial feasibility
    Any future use ideas should be practical and commercially feasible to ensure they are capable of delivery and success.
  • Site size and constraints
    Any development must work with the constraints of the site and the land available. It must consider things such as the heritage values of adjoining sites and the wider historic area it is located in, the access to the site and the adjacent Balguerie Stream, requiring attention to both stream setbacks and any historical flooding information.

Funding

There is no funding set aside in the current Long Term Plan to support Council development of the BP Meats site. If the preferred land use requires public funding it would need to be allocated in the 2027-2037 Long Term Plan.