Chapter 12 - Rural Environments Maintenance of soil quality depends largely on the maintenance of an appropriate continuous vegetation cover. Sustainable management of the soil resource has tangible benefits for the District. Stable and viable rural communities depend upon the implementation and maintenance of sustainable land use systems which retain soil quality, fertility and health. Inappropriate subdivision and development can compromise primary production options in circumstances where there is a decrease in the availability of versatile soils for productive uses, or a reduction in existing primary production opportunities. These factors can be ascertained by the Council through the resource consent process. Objective 2 To provide for a range of activities which do not create an unacceptable working environment while avoiding, remedying or mitigating adverse effects on the environment. Policy 2.1 To limit the scale of subdivision and dwellings for rural purposes to the creation of lots which retain the amenity values of openness, and minimise the potential conflicts between residential and neighbouring rural activities. Policy 2.2 To enable rural activities which might generate adverse effects such as noise or smell, to operate in rural areas in accordance with accepted practices, without being significantly compromised by other activities demanding higher levels of amenity. Policy 2.3 To identify existing rural residential locations within the Rural 4 Zone and to acknowledge the demand for rural lifestyle allotments whilst taking into account potential adverse effects, particularly on rural amenities and on the sustainable management of the land resource, of the Rural 4 Zone. Policy 2.4 To avoid, remedy or mitigate the effects of activities that can cause unpleasant living or working conditions for people in the rural community, or that cause other significant adverse effects on the environment. Policy 2.5 To ensure that the location, scale and nature, design and management of industrial, commercial or rural intensive activities are such as to protect the amenity values of rural areas. A wide range of activities occur in rural areas, including viticulture, traditional livestock farming and the farming of supplementary crops, as well as more intensive pastoral and horticultural enterprises. Low density residential development has also spread throughout rural areas. People have differing expectations about what are acceptable amenity levels in the rural environment. Amenity means how noise levels, odour strength, air quality and visual appearance relate to the overall nature of the rural environment. The inherent nature of land based productive activities, means that intermittently high noise levels will be produced when agricultural machinery is being used, stock is being moved or held, or crop protection mechanisms are activated. These activities may also result in increased odour levels and reduced air quality. 12 - 15