Volume One 7. Landscape (v) recognising that existing structures may contribute to the landscape character of an area and additional structures may complement this contribution; (vi) making use of existing vegetation as a background and utilising new vegetation as a screen to reduce the visual impact of built form on the surrounding landscape, providing that the vegetation used is also in keeping with the surrounding landscape character; and (vii) encouraging utilities to be co-located wherever possible; (b) In respect of land disturbance (including tracks and roads): (i) avoiding extensive land disturbance activity that creates a long term change in the visual appearance of the landscape, particularly when viewed from public places; (ii) encouraging tracks and roads to locate adjacent to slopes or at the edge of landforms or vegetation patterns and to follow natural contour lines in order to minimise the amount of land disturbance required; (iii) minimising the extent of any cuts or side castings where land disturbance is to take place on a slope; and (iv) encouraging the revegetation of cuts or side castings by seeding or planting. (c) In respect of vegetation planting: (i) avoiding the planting of new exotic forestry in areas of outstanding natural features and landscapes in the coastal environment of the Marlborough Sounds; (ii) encouraging plantations of exotic trees to be planted in a form that complements the natural landform; and (iii) recognising the potential for wilding pine spread. The sensory values of outstanding natural features and landscapes are vulnerable to change brought about by resource use. The introduction of new structures, tracks and roads into the landscape, and the planting of new vegetation, all have the ability to affect our visual perception and appreciation of the landscape. Although not an exhaustive list, this policy describes how the visual integrity of the landscape can be maintained in response to changes in resource use. The subdivision of land can act as a pre-curser to such changes, so it is also appropriate to have regard to this policy when considering subdivision consent applications. The matters in (a) to (c) guide how visual intrusion into significant landscapes can be avoided, remedied or mitigated. These mostly relate to undertaking land use activities in ways that limit the visual intrusion into the landscape. These actions will be implemented through a range of activity status as well as standards on permitted activity rules. Policy 7.2.1 provides guidance on how these controls will be applied to outstanding natural features and landscapes. For landscapes with high amenity value, guidance is provided through Policies 7.2.2 and 7.2.3. This policy cannot apply to existing land use activities that have been lawfully established due to existing use rights under Section 10 of the RMA. [C, D] Policy 7.2.8 – Recognise that some outstanding natural features and landscapes and landscapes with high amenity value will fall within areas in which primary production activities currently occur. In some areas where outstanding natural features and landscapes and landscapes with high amenity values have been identified in the MEP, there are a range of primary production activities taking place. 7 – 9