Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside

1.INTRODUCTIONThe Local Planning Authority will promote increasedawareness of good quality design in the countrysideby: Providing lists of good local architects and designerswith examples to illustrate their work. Holding workshops and seminars for agentsspecifically involved with one-off housing in thecountryside. Making this Design Advice available to all thoseinterested in the planning and design of one-offhouses (as a purchasable document or to view on theCouncil web site). Organising public displays that illustrate localexamples of successful siting and design. Providing detailed guidance at the pre-applicationstage to ensure that potential applicants are aware ofthe appropriate policies, and less likely to submitproposals that may be refused. Operating a new Design Award Scheme, with aspecific category for ‘Best new single house in thecountryside’. Requiring the submission of a design statement withall planning applications, to explain how the proposeddesign is suitable for the proposed site (see appendix3).Structure of the Design AdviceFollowing this Introduction, Section 2 of the DesignAdvice presents a brief overview of the evolution ofdifferent house types in County Limerick, from themedieval tower house through to the modern bungalow.Section 3 provides guidance on the considerations forselecting a suitable site for potential development and, inparticular, on fully understanding the landscape context.Section 4 is concerned with the principles of acceptablesite layout, including the importance of sustainable siteplanning and energy efficiency. Section 5 providesguidance on designing the main elements of the house,and Section 6 presents information required for making aPlanning Application.The Appendices provide further technical information tohelp inform and guide the planning application process.5.Recently constructed one-off rural houses6.4.County Limerick: Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside