Volume One 12. Urban Environments coherent and pleasant living environment. Components of character and scale include open space, density of development, building height, proximity to services, style of built form and availability of infrastructure. Some of these factors lead to a general appreciation of an area, while others relate to the development of individual sites. The matters identified in this policy collectively reflect the nature of residential environments within Marlborough’s towns that are to be maintained and enhanced. [D] Policy 12.2.2 – Protect and enhance the character and amenity values of residential environments for individual allotments by: (a) controlling the height of buildings to avoid shading of adjoining properties and to maintain privacy; (b) ensuring that buildings located close to property boundaries do not unreasonably shade adjoining properties; (c) requiring functional, sunny and accessible outdoor living spaces within individual allotments; and (d) retaining adequate open space free of buildings and having adequate space available for service areas. This policy recognises that the way in which individual sites are developed is important, particularly in relation to adjoining sites. The principal elements in creating liveable residential environments include ensuring that residential properties have adequate access to sunlight, daylight and privacy and that they are not closed in or overlooked. In controlling these matters through permitted activity standards, the desirability of allowing reasonable individual flexibility in siting, layout and building design must also be acknowledged. [D] Policy 12.2.3 – Require development to maintain or enhance streetscape amenity by ensuring: (a) garages, carports and car parking do not dominate the street; (b) there are adequate areas free from buildings; (c) building height, proximity to street boundaries and scale reflect the existing or intended future residential character; (d) shared service areas are not visible from ground level outside the site; and (e) outdoor storage is managed in a way that does not result in unreasonable visual amenity effects or the creation of nuisance effects. The degree to which different residential areas are dominated by open space and landscape plantings rather than by buildings (particularly on the street frontage) is a key factor in people’s perception of the residential environment. Within the various residential zones there are differing expectations of development character and therefore different sensitivities to adverse effects of development. The policy encourages open and attractive street scenes not dominated by buildings, with some activities associated with the dwelling being screened to ensure amenity values are maintained. The policy will be implemented through permitted activity standards to ensure the fundamental character of the various residential environments is not adversely affected, whilst still enabling efficient land use. [D] Policy 12.2.4 – In relation to five areas zoned as Urban Residential 2 Greenfields Zone to the north and west of Blenheim, the following matters apply for subdivision and land use activities: (a) farming activities are permitted to continue until residential development of the land occurs; 12 – 7