Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan The higher the rating in all Quality attributes the greater the likelihood of having a significance to the Marlborough Sounds area. For example, for a landscape which is a good example of its kind and is highly visible, development is likely to seriously compromise landscape value. Assessing Effects of Proposed Changes in the Landscape Effects on the landscape should be assessed in terms of their effects on quality and charact er. The key is to identify what the significant characteristics are within the landscape unit; then to assess the effects of the location and land use change on those characteristics in term of the indicators of quality. The evaluation will help determine whether the effects of a proposed change will be positive, neutral or negative examples and what levels and kinds of management is appropriate and/or required. Evaluation criteria may include: • Will it add a significant level of structures or roading to the landscape? • Will it compromise natural landform by modifying elements of the landscape? • Will it reduce the area of or degrade the significance of any indigenous vegetation? • Will it compromise the natural character of the coastal edge through modification by artificial structures or land disturbance? • Will it alter the landscape in such a way that the landscapes unique status is compromised? • Will it introduce into the landscape a feature, activity, form, line, or texture which is incongruous with the dominant character and coherence of the landscape? • Will it introduce into the landscape a feature, activity, form, line, or texture which enhances or improves the overall coherence of the landscape? References Department of Conservation ‘Marlborough Sounds Draft Landscape Assessment: Selected Site s’ Earl H. Bennett, Landscape Architect, July 1989. Department of Conservation (Nelson) ‘Marlborough Sounds Visual Impacts of Coastal Development - Selected Location s’ Earl H. Bennett, FNZILA, Landscape Architect, June 1990 (principal report and appendices). Department of Conservation (Nelson/Marlborough Conservancy)‘Draft Regional Landscape Assessment ’ Sissons and Conway Ltd, June 1993 (a draft unpublished report). App One - 4