Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan • Recognising and maintaining the existing quality of life and lifestyle associated with living in the Sounds by providing a diverse range of subdivision opportunities; • Ensuring that new subdivision and development contributes in a fair and reasonable way towards the costs associated with the additional servicing demand it creates or the environmental costs it imposes; and • Recognising the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in relation to the subdivision of land. Under the Act no person may subdivide land unless the subdivision is expressly allowed by a rule in a Plan. Thus the Plan must serve two purposes. The first is enabling, that is it must provide the circumstances under which subdivision may occur. The second purpose is to avoid and mitigate possible future adverse effects that subdivision may generate. 23.3 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 Provision for the subdivision of land in a manner which recognises and is appropriate to the natural form and environmental characteristics of the Plan area. Policy 1.1 Ensure that subdivision of land provides for an appropriate range of future uses and opportunities. Policy 1.2 Promote subdivision which reflects the natural and physical capability of the land by regulating the type and intensity of development by applying a variety of zones, based on this resource base. Policy 1.3 Provide for the creation of allotments which protect the natural environment including bush, riparian lands, wetlands, headlands, heritage features, ridges and hazard areas, and archaeological and cultural heritage sites. Policy 1.4 Ensure appropriate subdivision that avoids, remedies or mitigates adverse effects on the natural character of the coastal environment and wetlands, lakes, rivers and their margins. Policy 1.5 Recognise the diverse lifestyles, cultures and quality of life associated with the Plan area community, by providing flexible options for settlement. Policy 1.6 Provide opportunities to create special purpose allotments that protect the natural environment, in tandem with widening and diversifying opportunities for land use activities. Policy 1.7 Ensure that rural character and amenities are protected and enhanced in parallel with providing for appropriate land use activities. Policy 1.8 Consider the effects on soil conservation from subdivision of land and avoid or mitigate any adverse effects. 23 - 2