Criticism of final Government decisions on Christchurch's housing density

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has accepted three council recommendations, and deferred three.

But the remaining 14 default to recommendations from the Independent Hearings Panel - including increasing high-density zoning for Hornby, Riccarton and Linwood.

Riccarton Bush-Kilmarnock Residents Association chair, Tony Simons, says these decisions literally leave Christchurch in the dark.

He says there's clear evidence the rules will have a bigger impact on residents' access to sunlight, than in the North Island.