Chapter 23 - Subdivision and Development Policy 1.9 Consider the effects of the subdivision on the sustainable management of land resources in so far as this contributes to the character of the Plan areas, and avoid or mitigate any adverse effects. Policy 1.10 Avoid or mitigate any adverse effects on water quality in the Plan area, arising from subdivision. Policy 1.11 Recognise the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in relation to subdivision and development of land. Policy 1.12 Provide for innovative subdivision, such as energy efficient subdivision design, which is responsive to landscape character and which avoids adverse effects. The objective and policies address the layout and form of the Marlborough Sounds area as it relates to subdivision. They seek to promote subdivision which takes into account the natural form and environmental characteristics of the Sounds. Council also seeks to ensure that subdivision, being the first step for a lot of development, promotes rather than limits the orderly and efficient use of the land resource. Subdivision can have impacts on the natural character of certain areas. The Plan seeks to protect natural character and significant indigenous vegetation through avoiding, remedying and mitigating adverse effects of subdivision on these values. Subdivision can also impact on general amenities and character. In some rural areas, for example, the dominant character is one of openness. The Plan seeks to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects on this openness. The Act also requires Council to control land uses for the purpose of soil conservation [section 30(1)(c)(i)]. Soil conservation encompasses those matters contained in Chapter 13: Soil Conservation, namely maintaining the productive potential and life-supporting capacity of soil by minimising erosion from activities which disturb land. In relation to subdivision though, soil conservation is more broad reaching. Subdivision, where it is used to facilitate urban development, generally does not promote soil conservation at all. The covering of land with structures and impervious surfaces destroys the soil and its fertility, structure and drainage. It is not practical to attempt to protect all soil from urban use, nor is this consistent with soil conservation. But rather, the protection of the higher quality soils, being the more important part of the soil resource, from these effects, will achieve the overall conservation of soil. Council seeks to ensure that subdivision is carried out in such a way that the contribution made by productive use of land to the character of the Sounds is maintained. As well, that subdivision respects important soil conservation values. In seeking to ensure this though, Council does not wish to give preference to any particular future land uses and types of development. This is something which the market will determine. These ideas merely indicate the types of issues which need to be addressed in order to determine whether a subdivision promotes sustainable management of resources in the context of the Sounds environment, as based on the subsequent effects of development. With subdivision being a critical first step which often facilitates the design and form of future development, it is important that the effects of such future development are considered at the time of subdivision. Therefore, there will be a number of other very relevant objectives and policies contained throughout the Plan, which also need to be considered in conjunction with those above. 23 - 3