Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside

4.PLANNING THE SITESite Planning ChecklistThe following checklist summarises the main SitePlanning factors that need to be taken into account whendeveloping an application for a one-off house in thecountryside.A Schedule of Documents Checklist for information to besubmitted with an application is given in ‘Your Guide tothe Planning Process’ - refer Section 6 Designing withthe Planning System.Main Factors: Prepare a detailed analysis of your site showing all existing features. Consider the detailed effects of topography in terms of building form andavoiding excessive cut and fill. Identify south facing slopes and orientation to benefit from solar gain, andnote potential frost and mist hollows, prevailing winds and potential areasof shelter afforded by topography. Examine the requirements for incorporating renewable energy sources. Consider the proportion of the house in relation to the size of the plot andscale of any existing buildings in the locality.Further Details/InformationObtain a detailed survey of the site andits immediate surroundings showingcontours; vegetation; boundaries;existing structures; historical orarchaeological features; all pipes,septic tanks, wells, percolation areas,etc.; roads, rights of way and accesstracks; water courses and wetlands; soiltypes and land drainage characteristics.The Planning and DevelopmentRegulations 2007 make specificprovision for renewable energyinstallations. Ensure that the building can be positioned to avoid overlooking or loss oflight/privacy to neighbouring properties. Ensure that the site has sufficient depth to be able to locate the buildingback from the road edge. Carefully consider the means of vehicle access to the site. Ensure that sufficient front boundary vegetation can be retained whileaccommodating vehicle access requirements. Establish the means for protecting existing trees, hedgerows and banks,and note opportunities for extending existing vegetation patterns into, oraround, the site to help absorb or screen the new development into itssetting. Consider appropriate boundary treatments. Prepare a landscaping plan showing all existing features to be retained andnew planting and hard surfaces.44.County Limerick: Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside