The Challenge
A mother and daughter planned to build a duplex on a vacant 591m² site, with each ultimately owning one of the homes. However, they needed separate titles to secure construction finance, while the conventional subdivision process anticipated the duplex being at least partially built before subdivision could occur.
The proposal also included a 269m² lot – below the District Plan's 300m² minimum – adding another consenting challenge.
What CKL Did
- Provided planning and surveying services from consenting through to the issue of new titles.
- Developed a planning case demonstrating that subdivision could occur before construction without compromising the intended development outcome.
- Demonstrated that the future duplex could meet relevant requirements for setbacks, outdoor living, servicing, parking and residential amenity.
- Showed that the undersized 269m² lot remained fully functional and capable of accommodating compliant residential development.
- Prepared the subdivision consent application and completed the survey work required to create the new titles.
The Outcome
CKL secured non-notified consent for the two-lot fee simple subdivision, enabling separate titles to be issued before construction began. This unlocked the bank finance needed to proceed with the duplex and provided a practical pathway for the mother and daughter to each own one of the completed homes.
The approach also demonstrated an alternative pathway for duplex subdivision that is now being applied more widely across Hamilton.
