Subdivision of dwellings - intensity thresholds and community balance

As sub-divisions are considered an intensified form of housing, they can lead to difficulties in maintaining balanced communities. It is therefore important to consider if the change of use is acceptable having regard to other policies in this plan, particularly policies relating to housing management areas and intensive forms of housing. Whilst this policy allows for the sub-division of existing dwellings into flats, it seeks to prevent this where existing dwellings are too small to deliver smaller units without negative impacts on existing residential amenity. The threshold of 150 m sq will prevent intensification in areas where smaller units are prevalent, which lack the space to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the increased population.