76 | Project Control Management: Townsend Fields Subdivision Quality surrounds and living Wide walkways, recreational reserves, waterways and extensive native plantings are a feature of Townsend Fields. DEVELOPMENT Kim Newth Drawn by the natural beauty and tranquil lifestyle on offer at Townsend Fields, a growing number of residents are putting down roots in this delightful new subdivision in West Rangiora. With its wide walkways and paths, there are plenty of opportunities for people to step outside and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings. Recreational reserves, waterways and extensive native plantings reflect the strong focus in this development on enhancing and protecting the local environment and ecosystems. Townsend Fields is named after the original landowner, English settler John Townsend, who farmed here some 150 years ago. The land has a more contemporary connection with Susan and Jim Wakefield, whose unique vision to share their passion for New Zealand art can be seen today at Christchurch’s Ravenscar House Museum Gallery and Home, (52 Rolleston Ave). The couple, renowned for their philanthropic activities and contribution to the Canterbury arts scene, purchased the Townsend farm in North Canterbury in the late 1990s and developed it as their rural retreat. Townsend Fields celebrates this unique history and the family’s desire to make a lasting positive impact in the district. Townsend Fields was nominated for the Environmental Step Change Award at the 2018 North Canterbury Business Awards in recognition of the considerable work done to enhance the land’s natural features. The Wakefield family farm has been meticulously transformed by a series of enhanced waterways, water treatment facilities and reserves, adding up to an idyllic living environment. The family’s next generation is playing a central role with Steve Wakefield being the subdivision’s managing director. Justin Busbridge, who has been in the building industry for almost 40 years and has a long association with the Wakefield family, has served as Townsend Field’s general manager since 2012. Both men are also trustees of the Ravenscar Trust, (with Steve chairing the trust). Justin is proud of the emphasis on quality in both the natural and built environment at Townsend Fields. “We have a duty of care to the community to create the best product we possibly can,” he says, noting that he was invited to speak at a local land development forum recently to help showcase what can be achieved when aspirational standards are pursued. From an earthquake resilience perspective alone, Townsend Fields’ TC1 status makes this an attractive place to build. TC1 properties are unlikely to experience land damage from liquefaction in future large earthquakes and ground settlement is expected to be within normal levels. Stage 1 (40 lots) has sold out and is fully built. Stage 2 (42 lots) has also sold out, with 35 homes currently underway. All 42 lots - bar one - have been sold in Stage 3 with titles expected in July. At time of writing, consents for Stage 4 - 52 lots in the subdivision’s southwest corner - were about to be lodged. “All 52 have registrations of interest in them from purchasers,” says Justin. “We’re managing sales carefully as we are very conscious of making sure local people can stay in the market and make purchases here.” The plan ahead is to develop one new stage a year (approximately 45 lots per stage) until all eight are completed. “We are in the process of applying for rezoning of an associated 45 acres to allow for stages five to eight to be formed.” The Wakefield’s influential role in Canterbury’s arts scene is acknowledged in various street names at Townsend Fields that honour some of New Zealand’s renowned artists. These include Angus Place (Rita Angus), Goldie Drive (Charles Frederick Goldie), Hotere Place (Ralph Hotere), McCahon Drive (Colin McCahon), Page Place (Evelyn Page) and Lusk Place (Doris Lusk). In West Rangiora, Te Matauru School has followed suit and named some of its Houses after the same artists - Angus, Goldie, Hotere, Lusk, McCahon – while another has been named ‘Townsend’. “We’re managing sales carefully as we are very conscious of making sure local people can stay in the market and make purchases here.”
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