Volume One 9. Public Access and Open Space [D] Policy 9.3.6 – Explore opportunities to use Marlborough District Council owned or managed river reserve land to enhance areas for recreational activities to take place. The Council owns and/or manages a considerable area of floodway land on the Wairau, Taylor, Ōpaoa and other rivers, primarily for flood control purposes. However, much of this land poses an opportunity for secondary land uses including public access, amenity and recreational use. For example, currently the Taylor River floodway land through Blenheim is intensively used by the public for recreational and amenity purposes and low-key recreational land use occurs along the Wairau River between the Tuamarina and Waihopai Rivers and along the Wairau Diversion. This policy aims to consider how use of river reserve land for the public can be enhanced, as many recreational activities do not conflict with the primary flood control purpose. Where river reserve land has been leased for commercial activity, it is appropriate that at the time for reviewing the lease, opportunities to improve public access and recreation use are assessed as part of the review. [D] Policy 9.3.7 – Provide walking and cycling linkages between reserves and areas of open space in, around and between towns where appropriate, and maintain and enhance these areas. Opportunities exist for the development of linkages for cycling and walking in, around and between towns as a means of increasing recreational opportunities and enhancing the quality of the environment. [D] Policy 9.3.8 – Provide for the creation of allotments to enable protection of outstanding natural features including bush, riparian lands, wetlands, headlands, heritage features and ridges, which collectively contribute to open space values. The policy reflects a need to provide for the creation of allotments that protect natural features including bush, riparian lands, wetlands, headlands, heritage features and ridges where such protection contributes to open space values. Whilst accepting the potential impacts of subdivision and associated developments on natural features, it is also acknowledged that as a land management tool, subdivision can be an appropriate mechanism for protection in terms of contributing to open space values. Allotments should be able to be created for this express purpose. [D] Policy 9.3.9 – In assessing the impacts of subdivision or development through resource consent applications, consideration shall be given to the need for public open space and recreation areas to provide for: (a) additional neighbourhood parks needed as a result of additional residential and visitor accommodation across Marlborough; (b) additional open space necessary for visual relief and plantings amongst the built environment; and (c) the development of neighbourhood parks and open space areas that are useable and enjoyable. The subdivision and development of land creates opportunities for various activities to be established. If communities continue to grow through subdivision and building development without providing for the recreation and open space needs of the community, adverse environmental effects may arise. This could occur through a lack of neighbourhood parks in new subdivisions or in areas where infill housing and redevelopment is taking place, reduced accessibility to parks and a lack of visual relief in the form of open space amongst the built environment. The policy therefore directs that when subdivision and development activities are to 9 – 13