Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan Integration with the port and marina area is important for the commercial area of Havelock. The visual character of Havelock relates to the surrounding natural environment and the town’s history of fishing. 10.3.2.1 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 The enhancement of the visual character of town centres. Policy 1.1 Encourage the development of buildings and structures within town centres that reinforce the scale, style and design of that town. Policy 1.2 Promote visual integration of the town centre with the wider townscape (Havelock and Picton) and the environment as a whole. Policy 1.3 Promote development within town centres which does not dominate important views to and from the sea. Policy 1.4 Promote landscape planting and the use of street furniture which is consistent with the visual character of the town centre. Policy 1.5 To acknowledge the contribution that heritage resources make to visual character and encourage the preservation and enhancement of such resources. Visual character and the maintenance and enhancement of this is a significant issue for the town centres of Havelock and Picton. Looking after the visual character will contribute to the continued successful existence of the urban environment. The Marlborough Regional Policy Statement recognises the significance of visual features and visual character in Objective 8.1.2 seeks ‘the maintenance and enhancement of the visual character of indigenous, working and built landscapes’. The urban environment and town centres in particular, are a significant contribution to the built landscape. 10.3.2.2 Methods of Implementation Rules Rules restrict the height of new buildings in town centres to a level which is compatible with those which presently exist. Rules restrict what can be done to scheduled heritage resources to ensure these are conserved for future generations. A number of other methods also relate to heritage resources, refer to Section section 6.2: Heritage. Guidelines The Council will assist in the preparation of community initiated guidelines to assist the design of buildings and structures within town centres. For example in the case of Picton, the Council will recognise the work of the Picton Sounds Paradise organisation. The guidelines in the Picton Town Centre Urban Design Concept Plan are intended to assist property owners in designing alterations to buildings or new buildings. 10 - 20