Prestons Grove is a residential development at the corner of Prestons Road and State Highway 74 in Christchurch. DCM was commissioned by Avanda in 2022 to assist with the master planning and landscape design of the 16.8-hectare site, which includes around 200 residential lots, 2.7 hectares of stormwater reserve and a small recreation reserve.
A major part of DCM’s work was the realignment and naturalisation of approximately 350 metres of Horners Drain, which runs through the site and connects into Pūharakekenui / Styx River. The design was developed alongside engineers, Mahaanui Kurataiao and an ecologist, with a focus on improving stormwater function, biodiversity and habitat. Planting was informed by the historic ecology of the site, the wider Styx River reserve network and the Pūharakekenui / Styx River Tauāki Wai Pātaua / Vision and Values.
Alongside the waterway, the masterplan focused on creating a connected and easy-to-navigate neighbourhood with a strong landscape and open space network. DCM’s work formed part of the land use consent process with Christchurch City Council and the Environment Canterbury consent required to divert and naturalise Horners Drain.
