Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside
Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside
Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside
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3.SELECTING THE SITESite Selection ChecklistThe follow<strong>in</strong>g checklist summarises <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> SiteSelection factors that need to be taken <strong>in</strong>to accountwhen consider<strong>in</strong>g an application <strong>for</strong> a one-off house <strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong> countryside.A Schedule of Documents Checklist <strong>for</strong> <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation to besubmitted with an application is given <strong>in</strong> ‘Your Guide to<strong>the</strong> Plann<strong>in</strong>g Process’ - refer Section 6 <strong>Design</strong><strong>in</strong>g with<strong>the</strong> Plann<strong>in</strong>g System.Ma<strong>in</strong> Factors to be considered:Fur<strong>the</strong>r Details/In<strong>for</strong>mation Assess <strong>the</strong> suitability of a site <strong>in</strong> terms of its landscape character and<strong>the</strong> sensitivity and capacity of <strong>the</strong> area to absorb development. Consult with <strong>the</strong> Local Plann<strong>in</strong>g Authority if a site falls with<strong>in</strong> or islocated close to sensitive landscape areas or o<strong>the</strong>r environmentaldesignation. Appraise <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>m of traditional build<strong>in</strong>gs be<strong>for</strong>e select<strong>in</strong>g a site toensure that new development will be compatible with <strong>the</strong> exist<strong>in</strong>gcharacter of <strong>the</strong> area. Select a site where natural features such as trees and hedgerows canhelp assimilate new development with <strong>the</strong> surround<strong>in</strong>gs. Avoid a hilly site where development may break <strong>the</strong> skyl<strong>in</strong>e whenviewed from a distance, or would result <strong>in</strong> excessive cutt<strong>in</strong>g or fill<strong>in</strong>g of<strong>the</strong> local topography. Avoid elevated and exposed locations such as hilltops and ridgel<strong>in</strong>es,which would <strong>in</strong>crease energy consumption and fuel costs. Avoid sites that are subject to flood<strong>in</strong>g, boggy, or <strong>in</strong> a frost pocket. Ensure that a site will not contribute to ribbon development or o<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>appropriate development <strong>for</strong>m. Consider <strong>the</strong> proximity of a site to exist<strong>in</strong>g facilities, such as schools,shops, church, pub).The County Development Plan identifies10 different landscape character areaswith different capacities to absorbdevelopment.The County also has many designatedareas <strong>for</strong> environmental protection, e.g.Special Areas of Conservation (SAC),Special Protection Areas (SPA) andNatural Heritage Areas (NHA), as wellas designations <strong>for</strong> heritage protectionsuch Architectural Conservation Areas(ACAs) and Protected Structures. Thereare also numerous archaeological siteslisted as Recorded Monuments <strong>for</strong>protection.Undertake a detailed assessment of <strong>the</strong>context to determ<strong>in</strong>e views <strong>in</strong>to and outof <strong>the</strong> site; landscape characteristics(vegetation pattern, land<strong>for</strong>m, naturalfeatures); development pattern andbuild<strong>in</strong>g types; orientation (sun path andprevail<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>in</strong>ds); and access to exist<strong>in</strong>gfacilities.26.County Limerick: <strong>Rural</strong> <strong>Design</strong> <strong>Advice</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Individual</strong> <strong>Houses</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Countryside</strong>
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