FAQs

UPL is a property management and development company committed to delivering quality residential developments that contribute to the urban growth of Lower Hutt.  

UPL owns and manages a rental housing portfolio of approximately 150 units in various areas of Lower Hutt, where it charges below-market rents to low-income elderly residents. 

Resource consent has been approved for UPL to proceed with a development at 12 Hollard Grove, which is next to the current Colson Street Reserve.

Colson Street Reserve is owned by Hutt City Council. 

The adjacent land is owned by Urban Plus Limited (UPL) with single-storey houses that are currently tenanted.

UPL intends to demolish and redevelop its existing stock of aged single-storey houses to create better homes.  

In discussion between UPL and Council, an opportunity was identified to exchange reserve land for UPL land. The intention is to re-position the Colson Street Reserve from its current location at the back of houses to the corner of Hollard Grove and Colson Street. The current reserve does not have any play equipment and seating and is located behind property fences with limited visibility from the street. The proposed exchange creates an opportunity for a more useable recreational reserve with better visibility and access from the neighbourhood.  

The proposed exchange would also facilitate a modern medium-density housing development which would deliver better housing outcomes for the community.  

The land exchange will result in a net loss of approximately 1,800 m² of reserve land. However, the reduction is a result of: 

In addition to the above, UPL is considering the inclusion of open green space within the proposed housing development.  

Council has allocated $400,000 in the Long-Term Plan (2024–34) for an upgrade of the current Colson Street Reserve.  

If the land exchange is approved, UPL will contribute towards the costs of creating a new reserve, in addition to Council’s Long-Term Plan funding which could go towards amenities in the new reserve. This would result in the community getting a better outcome than if the existing reserve is kept and improved using Council funding only.

UPL will develop their current land around the reserve, leaving the existing reserve as is. This will reduce the number of houses delivered and will remove the opportunity to reconfigure the reserve in the future.  

It will mean the reserve will remain as it is, with small improvements, budget for which is included in the Long-Term Plan 2024-2034.

The land exchange proposal will be open for public consultation, starting on 5 June 2025 and closing on 16 July 2025. Feedback will be reviewed and reported back to Council before a final decision is made on the land exchange.  

If the land exchange is approved, there will be further community engagement on the design of the reserve at a later stage.  

The proposal supports: