10. Heritage Resources and Notable Trees Volume One decision making process. There is an opportunity for any adverse effects to be remedied through the provision of replacement trees. [RPS, D] Policy 10.2.3 – Consider approving any application to remove, trim or prune a notable tree or trees where: (a) the tree or trees are dying, diseased or have otherwise lost the essential qualities for which the tree was originally identified; (b) the tree or trees have become a danger to people; or (c) the tree or trees are significantly restricting a particular use of the site that offers greater positive effects in terms of historic heritage or amenity values. There are circumstances where it will be appropriate to allow a notable tree to be removed, trimmed or pruned despite its contribution to historic heritage and/or amenity values. These circumstances are identified in (a) to (c) of the policy. In this way the policy recognises that trees can lose the essential qualities for which they are valued, create a risk in terms of public safety or otherwise unreasonably restrict the use of a site. [D] Policy 10.2.4 – Encourage and support landowners in retaining and protecting notable trees. The Council will encourage and support the retention and protection of notable trees through the use of non-regulatory methods in addition to district rules. In this way, the policy recognises that proactive actions, including support for the owners of notable trees, can also be effective in ensuring notable trees are retained and protected in our surrounding environment. Methods of implementation The methods listed below are to be implemented by the Council unless otherwise specified. [RPS, C, D] 10.M.1 Identifying Marlborough’s significant heritage resources and notable trees The Council will identify significant heritage resources and notable trees within Appendix 13 of the MEP. Each individual resource or tree will be described in a schedule and included on planning maps. Resources or trees identified will be those that meet the criteria in Policies 10.1.4 and 10.2.1 and/or those included on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. The relative heritage value of heritage resources recognised by the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero will be included in the schedule. This will assist in the application of the policies of this chapter. Assessment against the criteria will occur periodically. This will allow emerging heritage resources and notable trees to be added to the MEP, via plan change processes, on an ongoing basis. The Standard Tree Evaluation Method (STEM) will be used to assess the value of individual trees and groups of trees. This method, developed by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, uses a point system to rate 20 tree attributes in three general categories of condition, amenity and notable qualities. Further information on each heritage resource or notable tree is held by the Council and is available to the public upon request. 10 – 8