13. Use of the Coastal Environment Volume One Limiting coastal permits to a 20 year duration enables the impacts of resource use on the values of the coastal environment to be reassessed. At times a shorter duration may be appropriate, where the adverse effects of a proposed activity are not well understood or are uncertain. It may not be appropriate to manage the adverse effects through consent conditions, so where this is the case a shorter duration consent may be necessary. For similar reasons, it is appropriate that the lapse period for resource consents to be implemented in the coastal environment will be no more than five years. [RPS, R, C, D] Policy 13.2.4 – Attributes that may be considered when assessing any effects on coastal amenity value in a particular location include natural character, biodiversity, public access, visual quality, high water quality, recreational opportunities, structures and activities, open space, tranquillity andpeacefulnes. s Section 7(c) of the RMA requires that in managing the use, development and protection of natural and physical resources, particular regard shall be had to the maintenance and enhancement of amenity values. The RMA defines amenity values as “those natural or physical qualities and characteristics of an area that contribute to peopl e’s appreciation of its p leasantness, aesthetic coherence, and cult ural and recreational attrib utes.” It is therefore important to identify what attributes contribute to coastal amenity values. Not all of the attributes identified will be relevant in all locations; amenity values will be different for different locations within Marlborough’s coastal environment. This is the reason why ‘may’ is used within the policy. [RPS, R, C, D] Policy 13.2.5 – Amenity values of the coastal environment can be maintained and enhanced by: (a) recognising the contribution that open space and natural character make to amenity values and providing appropriate protection to areas of open space; (b) maintaining and enhancing coastal and freshwater quality where necessary; (c) maintaining or enhancing areas with indigenous biodiversity value; (d) maintaining or enhancing sites or areas of particular value for outdoor recreation; (e) making use of suitable development setbacks to avoid a sense of encroachment or domination of built form, particularly in areas of public open space and along the coastal edge; (f) avoiding forms and location of development that effectively privatise the coastal edge and discourage or prevent access to and use of the coast; (g) recognising that some areas derive their particular character and amenity value from a predominance of structures, modifications or activities, and providing for their appropriate management; (h) establishing standards for activities within the coastal environment; (i) clustering together of structures and activities; (j) avoiding the establishment of activities resulting in high traffic generation; (k) ensuring the operation and speed of boats does not detract from people’s enjoyment of the coastal marine area or cause navigational safety issues; (l) requiring the removal of derelict or redundant structures within the coastal marine area; or (m) encouraging appropriate design of new structures and other development in form, colour and positioning that complement, rather than detract from, the visual quality of the location. 13 – 6