A substantial comfortable family home sitting on a largely undeveloped block of residentially zoned land in one the fastest growing suburbs of New Plymouth in Taranaki has been placed on the market for sale.

The rectangular-shaped 1.29-hectare property in the well-established seaside location of Bell Block comprises a 280-square metre four-bedroom/two-bathroom home sitting at the far end of a large, grassed section near to Hickford Park, and with panoramic views to the coast.

While much of Bell Block is built up with residential dwellings, the property at 55 Nugent Street stands out as a development site which could accommodate multiple new dwellings – in line with the local council’s vision for urban growth in the area.

New Plymouth District Council’s 2024-2034 Long Term Plan forecasts that the district’s population will grow from its current state of approximately 89,000 people up to 98,800 in 2034 and up to 110,400 by 2054.

The local body policy paper says that to cater for this population growth in New Plymouth, some 395 homes will need to be built in the greater district every year. Pertinently, the plan notes that some 830 new homes will have to be built in the Bell Block locale alone over the coming nine years alone.

“Overall (population) growth is expected to focus in and around New Plymouth City, including Bell Block. The rate of new dwellings is a significant factor in ensuring the district has enough housing and sufficient options to meet demand,” said the council’s Long Term Plan.

“The council recognises that growth and development are ongoing in the district and will continue over the period of the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan. The council is keen to encourage new growth and development by addressing any infrastructure and zoning barriers that currently exist.”

Prime for delivering on this urban expansion vision, the 1.29-hectare property at 55 Nugent Street in Bell Block is being marketed for sale by tender through Bayleys New Plymouth, with the tender closing on May 30. Salespeople Neale Parkinson and Rachel Williams said that as Bell Block had been steadily built up over the past three decades, it was rare to see a residential development site of this scale and opportunity coming onto the market for sale

Parkinson said the boutique greenfield residential development land sitting on a gently elevated slope at 55 Nugent Street overlooking surrounding homes and recreational spaces amply supported the council’s population growth criteria for new homes to be built in the suburb, subject to council consents.

“This piece of land could arguably be described as one of the premium pieces of undeveloped residential lands remaining in Bell Block. The property gives any new owner a blank canvas to work on, with the potential to subdivide new sections into a multitude of sizes subject to council approval,” he said.

The single level clean-lined brick and cedar family home with elevation and outstanding coastal views from within the site was originally built in 1961 and extended in 1989, and features a full-size inground swimming pool beside a sprawling outdoor courtyard area, a rooftop solar panelling system, and three car garaging, all surrounded by mature trees and shrubs.

The home’s master bedroom has both an en-suite and a walk-in wardrobe. Three of the bedrooms and the communal open plan living areas face out towards the sea – with plenty of outdoor space to add an al-fresco pizza oven or gourmet BBQ cooking servery, as well as a spa pool cabana, petanque court, or even a golf putting green.

‘’New Plymouth continues to be a destination city for Kiwis looking at moving out of the bigger metropolitan centres to the prospering regions – as evidenced by New Plymouth being awarded the title of ‘Most Liveable City for populations between 75,000 – 150,000’ by the International Awards for Liveable Communities in 2021,” Parkinson said.

“Bell Block is very much a family orientated city-fringe suburb as the city spreads north towards the airport, and is underpinned by a multitude of recreational amenities such as the bike park and velodrome, Ngamotu Golf Club, of course the beach, as well as the full gamut of shops and services,” said Parkinson.

“Bell Block Beach is just a short walk away from the Nugent Street property being marketed for sale, while the renown Coastal Walkway gives convenient flat topography cycle access to New Plymouth’s central business district some eight kilometres to the south.

“Of course there is also the opportunity for a new owner to continue with the property’s current very private lifestyle feel – allowing for equine grazing, or to sustain a couple of sheep or alpacas. Post and baton fencing run along the side of the driveway separating the paddocks off from the access way.”