Volume One 13. Use of the Coastal Environment Issue 13D – There is pressure to use, develop and subdivide land for residential purposes within the coastal environment. Historically, the demand for residential properties in Marlborough’s coastal areas has been satisfied through: • the development of new residential dwellings on vacant lots (within permitted activity provisions for residential or rural zones); • the extension, alteration or reconstruction of existing residential dwellings; and • the creation of new residential allotments from rurally zoned land. In any one of these situations there is potential for residential activity to detract from the qualities and values of the coastal environment. This is particularly so in a Marlborough Sounds context, where the MEP has identified the Sounds as being 'the jewel in Marlborough’s crown' (Issue 4C, Chapter 4 - Use of Natural and Physical Resources). At any particular location these qualities and values, along with physical factors, place constraints on whether residential activity is appropriate within the coastal environment. The construction of houses and holiday homes in areas where structures are absent from the landscape is likely to stand out and potentially detract from the “natural” appearance of that landscape. Even in areas where there are existing houses and holiday homes, buildings in prominent locations, large buildings and buildings with bright and bold colours, can detract from the landscape. New residential buildings obviously allow more people to be accommodated, either permanently or temporarily, in a particular location. Potentially, the more people who live within and use an area, the less likely it is that the special qualities currently valued by existing residents will continue to be enjoyed. The degree of impact will be perceived differently from person to person, depending on our own values and experiences. Other factors affecting the appropriateness of residential activity in the coastal environment include the ability for onsite disposal of domestic wastewater, impacts arising from natural hazards, difficulties in accessing remote areas and the impacts of residential activity on water quality, water quantity and indigenous biodiversity. Some of these factors may also have flow-on effects for other users of the coastal environment and the manner in which these constraints are dealt with will determine how the demand for residential activity will be managed in Marlborough’s coastal environment. The subdivision of land determines where new residential buildings will be located and the density of residential development. Managing the subdivision of land is therefore as important in retaining the character of the coastal environment as managing subsequent residential development. [RPS, D] Objective 13.5 – Residential activity takes place within appropriate locations and limits within the coastal environment. As demand for people to live or holiday in Marlborough’s coastal environment increases, it is important that these activities occur within appropriate locations and limits, to ensure that the qualities and values of the coastal environment are maintained and/or enhanced. This objective reflects that aim and is supportive of Objective 6 of the NZCPS, an enabling objective for people and communities to provide for their wellbeing and health and safety through subdivision, use and development. The objective requires (among other things) that in protecting values of the coastal environment, this does not preclude use and development in appropriate places and forms, and within appropriate limits. 13 – 13