Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan The further methods indicated above will ensure that the extent of the residential zones are appropriate to the needs and restraints of residential development. 10.2.2 Issue The character and scale of existing residential areas can be threatened by some non residential activities. Urban Residential Areas The residential areas at Picton, Waikawa, Havelock, and Rai Valley provide accommodation for permanent residents as well as for visitors. Types of accommodation vary greatly and include, for example, single dwellings for families, dwellings for elderly residents, retirement complexes, time share apartments, motel complexes. A number of associated services and facilities (for example restaurants ) also benefit from location close to visitor accommodation. There are also several non-residential activities, such as dairies, which serve the day-to-day needs of residents. Sounds Residential Areas - Marlborough Sounds The existing development areas scattered throughout the Marlborough Sounds provide a considerable diversity of residential opportunities. Occasional-use holiday homes predominate but a considerable number of people choose to live permanently in these areas. Permanent residents can be retired but many are engaged in Sounds-based occupations such as fishing, marine farming, tourist ventures and home-based occupations. Accommodation for visitors to the Sounds is provided by the many accommodation hotels, tourist lodges and a growing number of homestay operations. Residential Activities It is intended to apply similar performance standards to all development proposals within the urban residential areas so as to manage the effects of activities in a consistent way and to maintain residential character, scale and local landscape quality. Where the nature, character, and effects of non- residential facilities and activities are compatible with the character of residential areas there is no reason to prevent them establishing there. Changes in employment practices and advances in communications technology have combined to result in growing numbers of people seeking to conduct businesses based at their residence. Traditional examples of such home occupations include offices for professional services eg; architecture; medical practitioners and health services; hairdressers; telephone sales. Technological change may, in the future, make a much broader range of activities possible. Where these activities are able to be accommodated within the residential area without causing adverse effects or nuisance to surrounding residential activities there is no reason to prevent their establishment. Home occupations should not be permitted to develop to such a scale or intensity as would cause detriment to local residential character by giving rise to: • excessive or unusual traffic volumes; 10 - 8