Hornby currently has an average 13.4 households per hectare, but association chairman Marc Duff said this could be set to increase under incoming changes.
Christchurch City Council has until August 2022 to bring its planning regulations in line with the Government’s urban development plans.
Examples of intensification could already be seen in Hornby, such as in Amyes Rd, where a house had been replaced by seven two-storey units.
Residents were worried about the changes, Duff said.
“We’ve been getting concerns every day.”
Intensification should take place in the central city, where people would live near their work, he said.
It would not suit suburban areas such as Hornby.
More people would mean more traffic, and the roads and infrastructure in Hornby were in no condition to support this, he said.
Under the coming changes, buildings could be at least six storeys high if they were near transport links.
The association was writing to the city council, which they wanted to address their concerns in writing.
“We’re forming that letter now.”
However, there may not be a lot the city council could do, he said.
“Their hands are tied, they’re being pushed by the central government.”
“It’s now up to the residents' association and residents to lobby their MPs.”
The association wanted to hold a meeting with MPs to talk about their concerns, although this was still to be planned, he said.
City council head of planning and strategic transport David Griffiths said Government policy impacted on what could be done at a local and regional level.
“We know residential intensification is a concern for Christchurch residents.”
“This roadshow is the start of what will be an ongoing conversation between the council and residents about how and where our city grows.”
