Chapter 10 - Urban Environments The Urban Industrial Zones are located close to major transport corridors and at main entrances to the towns. Council seeks to enhance the landscape at these entrances. Rules require a contribution from industrial development towards the enhancement of the landscape and amenity of key entrance points within industrial zones. 10.5 Rural Townships Small rural townships are typified by their small scale and low intensity development. The townships usually comprise a varied mixture of rural service activity, commercial activity, industry (often primary based) and community/ recreation activities often scattered amongst residential activity. The main geographic distinction which can be made in the rural township is between residential areas and the mixed use centre. For the Marlborough Sounds area, Rai Valley is a rural township. A number of other rural townships are located in the remainder of the Marlborough District. Rai Valley township has both rural and urban elements as well as a low intensity of development, informal appearance and large section sizes. This is typical of the amenity of a small township like Rai Valley. The amenity of a township may also be influenced by local resources or specific activities. Sources of employment are crucial to the economic wellbeing, of residents of the township and surrounding rural areas. Minor adverse environmental effects that arise from commercial and industrial activities are therefore generally accepted or tolerated in these areas. Commercial and industrial activities in townships may however impinge upon environmental qualities by: • The visual intrusion of large buildings; • Air and water borne effluent and noise pollution; • Increased traffic on local roads; • Increased pressure on services; and • Incompatibility with areas of cultural significance to iwi. To maintain a pleasant environment in townships and to ensure nuisances or health risks do not arise, there is a need to control adverse effects arising from commercial/industrial use. Residential use in Rai Valley is described further, in the Residential Environments section (10.2). 10.5.1 Issue The need to manage the adverse effects of diverse activities in Rural Townships. The following objective, policies and methods, in conjunction with those in the Urban Residential section, have been incorporated to address this issue. 10 - 25