Well Paul,
It has been like this here in New Zealand, for the last couple of years.
Councils can stipulate anything they like, if you don't like it, you have the option to move away from their area.
Also, bring on the prestige area.
These people hate Sat dishes, TV aerials and anything that says real life.
I'm having a wicked argument with the local council at the moment, with respect to a piece of land I own and are allowed to build upon.
It is next to one of their "prestige developments".
Tough I say, councils should be able to plan things a bit better.
I had a permit to build a 40 foot radio tower,
as soon as the council found out that they would have this to contend with, they pulled my permit.
Just note that I was there first.
Councils suck.
I have $10,000 tied up in RMA stuff, before I even start building work.
I want to build a bloody house on rural land, what is so difficult about that?.