Chapter 5 - Landscape Policy 1.6 Within identified areas of outstanding landscape value, ensure that any land disturbance, earthworks or cultivation undertaken incorporates measures to avoid, remedy or mitigate any short-term adverse effects. Policy 1.7 Require activities involving tree removal and vegetation clearance to incorporate measures to avoid, remedy or mitigate any adverse visual landscape effects. Policy 1.8 Encourage plantations of exotic trees, established in areas of outstanding or other important landscape value, to be planted in a form which complements the natural landform and surrounding landscape features. Policy 1.9 Avoid sprawling or sporadic subdivisions for residential activity outside areas already occupied by residential settlement, or incursion into landscape sensitive areas. Policy 1.10 Retain significant areas or stands of indigenous vegetation where they contribute to landscape character and quality. The objective, and the policies to achieve landscape protection, are included in the Plan primarily because the Act and the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement require, as a matter of national importance, the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use and development. The Marlborough Regional Policy Statement also indicates the need for this Plan to address the protection of visual or landscape values. The objective and policies are intended to apply specifically to those areas identified as having outstanding landscape value (refer to Volume Three - Maps). However, the policies also apply in general to all other areas, particularly when an application for a moderate or large-scale activity is being assessed. That is, when some type of visual or landscape assessment is necessary in order to ensure that any adverse visual effects are avoided, remedied or mitigated. 5.5 Issue General Degradation of and Detraction from the Landscape and Visual Amenity Values of the District The vast bulk of the district is made up of very pleasant hills, valleys and plains landscape. Different areas have different characteristics. In the wilder country this reflects underlying natural processes - for example different vegetation patterns on north and south facing slopes, or greener areas in gullies and where moisture lies. Even in highly modified areas there may be indicators of what lies beneath still evident to the observant. The significance of these characteristics may not be sufficient (as it will be in the special places and outstanding landscapes), to suggest that development must take account of them, but they should be seen as potential qualities that can be used to create a vibrant and diverse environment. Section 7 of the Act requires that management decisions have particular regard to the maintenance and enhancement of amenity values. These values relate to both natural features and landscapes, and cultural features and landscapes. It is often the cultural landscapes that are most familiar and important to many people. They live out their lives in these areas. Consequently they are valuable both in the diversity they bring to 5 - 7