District Plan

You are here > Home > Council Documents > Plans and Strategies > District Plan > Heritage Buildings

Heritage Buildings

PART OF OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

What does ‘heritage’ mean?

Heritage items are those places or things that are significant to us because of their links to the past. Natural heritage relates to those areas of the natural environment that provide a link to the past or have important ecological value. Cultural heritage relates to man-made objects that give us a sense of our cultural identity.

Within the New Plymouth District, natural heritage includes notable trees and areas of significant indigenous vegetation and habitats. Cultural heritage consists of items such as buildings, structures and areas, and archaeological and waahi tapu sites. 

Threats to heritage items include demolition, neglect, development, inappropriate alterations, high cost maintenance and lack of an economic use.

Types of heritage buildings, items and areas

Category A: Buildings, items and areas of great cultural heritage value. 
Category B: Buildings, items and areas of considerable heritage value.
Category C: Buildings, items and areas of some heritage value.

Retention of heritage values is encouraged through free architectural advice and colour advice, and through eligibility for contestable funding from the council’s Heritage Protection Fund. 

How do we determine the heritage significance of a building, item or area?

The criteria used to determine the heritage value of a building, item, or area, are:

• Historical – is it important in the history of the New Plymouth District?
• Importance to the Community – is it an important physical landmark to the community?
• Aesthetic Appeal – does it conform to a past or present sense of beauty?
• Rarity – is it rare or unique in the New Plymouth District?
• Architecture and Use – does it have architectural merit or belong to an important architectural period or time?
• Technical – is it technically accomplished or of a high quality of building materials, methods or craft skills?
• Setting – does the setting of the place add to its cultural heritage value?
• Context – does it form part of a wider historical and cultural complex or landscape?
• Cultural heritage value for present and future generations – does it have value for present and future generations?

Return to top

District Plan rules

Only category A buildings, items and areas are subject to heritage related rules in the New Plymouth District Plan.  Category B’s and C’s are not regulated.

The exterior of all category A buildings and items is protected. Work to the same design and using similar materials is permitted. Work that is not in character will require resource consent. 

Demolition or removal, and subdivision of land with a category A building or item on it will require resource consent.

A specific rule applies to the erection of buildings on the same site as the following buildings:

• 37A Cameron St, New Plymouth.
• 84, 90, 94, 98 and 102 Pendarves St, New Plymouth.

Specific parts of the interiors of these buildings are protected:

• Hurworth Cottage, 906 Carrington Rd, New Plymouth.
• New Plymouth Opera House (TSB Showplace), 94-96 Devon St West, New Plymouth.
• Plas Mawr, 26 Standish St, New Plymouth.
• Pridham Hall, 103 Eliot St, New Plymouth.
• St Mary’s Church, 37 Vivian St, New Plymouth.
• The Camp House, Egmont National Park.
• The Gables, Brooklands Park, New Plymouth.
• White Hart Hotel, 124 Devon St West, New Plymouth.

You should consult with a council planner if you intend to carry out work on a category A building, item or area.

Note:

• When a consent is required for an activity, there is no guarantee that consent will be granted.  This is at the discretion of the council.
• In addition to these planning requirements, there may also be requirements under the Building Act or other legislation.
• This is a summary of the rules.  For detailed information, refer to the New Plymouth District Plan here or contact the council.

Return to top