42Visual landscape character assessment

42 Visual landscape character assessment

42 Visual landscape character assessment

(1) Ecologically sustainable development objectives The ecologically sustainable development objectives of this clause are to ensure—

(a) that the visual character and quality of the landscape are assessed before consent is granted for development, and

(b) that the visual impacts of proposed development are minimised.

(2) What must be included in an assessment by a consent authority? Before granting consent for development involving the carrying out of any works or building construction, within the rural zones, the consent authority must have regard to the likely visual impacts of carrying out the proposal, including the visual impacts of ancillary uses like driveways and fencing and of the provision of electricity and other services to the site of the development.

(3) In assessing visual impacts, consideration must be given to the following—

(a) important visual features and the landscape character of the site and surrounding land,

(b) minimising the visual impact of the proposal on views from public areas, including public roads,

(c) siting buildings below visually prominent ridgelines,

(d) reducing the visual impact of driveways and the provision of services to the development,

(e) reducing the visual impact of proposed buildings by ensuring that external finishes are non-reflective and of a colour that blends in with the surroundings,

(f) ensuring fencing and building styles are compatible with the visual character of the area.