Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan Within the overall landscape of the Marlborough Sounds there are some parts which can be described as individually outstanding such as coastal cliffs including those facing Cook Strait and on D’Urville Island, the Rangitoto Islands, French Pass Channel and the coastal forests and waters of Tennyson Inlet. Other outstanding features and landscape components can be identified and, where they occur, are generally: • Headlands; • Spurs and steep hillsides; • Skylines; • Significant hills and landform peaks; • Water; • Shorelines and small coves; • Indigenous forests; • Mudflats and tidal estuaries; • Flat valley floors; and • Cliff faces. Areas of outstanding landscape value are indicated on the planning maps in Volume Three. This material is intended to provide a guide to assist those involved in resource consent applications to assess adverse effects on outstanding landscape criteria and values. 5.2 Issue The adverse effects of inappropriate subdivision, use or development on outstanding natural features and landscapes. The natural and physical resources of the Sounds offer vast opportunities for a range of uses and development activities. Some of these are highly compatible with the underlying landscape and seascape character. Others have potential to compromise the integrity of that character. The landscape of the Sounds has been host to over 150 years of farming, feral grazing, fire, forestry, fishing and coastal settlement. The Sounds landscape overall is therefore highly modified and is constantly changing with the cycles of land use patterns. Within the overall issue stated above it is important to attempt to define the types of subdivision, use and development which would be ‘inappropriate’ and could adversely affect landscape values. In respect of both the areas of outstanding landscape identified and any other area valued for landscape or visual reasons, inappropriate subdivision, use and development may include: 5.2.1 Structures on Land In the coastal environment in particular, buildings and other structures that have the potential to intrude and compromise the natural quality of the landscape. In some landscape contexts the siting, bulk and design and contrasting colours of buildings can be inappropriate. Network utilities and associated buildings (towers, masts, transmission dishes and lines) where located on hilltops can have significantly detrimental effects on the visual values of important skylines. 5 2