Kilkenny County Council July 2010

Draft Fiddown Local Area Plan 2010
� Careful consideration shall be given to the design of components (such as doors, windows
and the height, pitch and ridges of roofs) which should have regard to those already present
in the vicinity of the site. This is particularly important with regard to the redevelopment and
alterations to existing buildings which should strictly reflect the original buildings
characteristics in proportions of windows to walls and in the design of the roof.
3.3.3 Building Line and Boundary Treatment
Although there is no uniform building line in Fiddown, buildings had traditionally very short set
backs, and front boundaries are used to give a unity to the streetscape. Front boundaries are
typically walls with gates. One of the most effective is a simple low plastered wall. The removal
of these boundaries to allow for the front to be used for parking detracts from the streetscape.
3.3.4 Building Height & Roofs
The variety of rooflines convey a feeling of diversity, but unity is provided by their common
domestic scale and common characteristics. New development should keep a level within the
existing range of eaves. Any new roof should be gabled and pitched and should match existing
roofs in pitch, span and covering material. Gabled roofs are to be encouraged, instead of hipped
roofs.
3.3.5 Proportion & Materials
Large developments should be subdivided into a series of bays, especially at ground floor level,
to be more in keeping with the pattern of the existing street frontage. Long horizontal lines look
out of place and should be avoided.
When designing, the type of materials to be used in new developments or improvements to
existing properties should fit in with the prevailing character of Fiddown, and be designed to
reflect and respect nearby colours, textures, materials, shapes, styles and proportions
3.3.6 Natural Heritage & Bio-diversity
Designs and landscaping plans should seek to conserve and enhance biodiversity where
possible.
� Where tree and shrub planting is undertaken, only native trees and shrubs, which grow
naturally in the locality, should be used. These should be of local provenance where
possible. A list of native trees and shrubs is contained in Appendix 2.
� The avoidance or limitation of the use of herbicides and pesticides is encouraged where
possible.
� The culverting of watercourses is discouraged, in favour of the retention of all open and
natural channels.
� Development should avoid building on floodplains or the significant alternation to the physical
environment within the immediate vicinity of a watercourse. Where a safety barrier around a
drainage ditch is required, spiny shrubs could be planted.
� Development should not be carried out within the immediate vicinity of hedgerows to be
retained or within the root protection area of tress; and a grass margin should be maintained
adjacent o hedgerows.
� If it is necessary to replace an original sem-natural feature (hedgerow, stone wall etc.0 it
should be replaced with a similar semi-natural feature.
� A combination of tree sizes shrub sizes of native species will be required for the
reinstatement of connecting features to ensure their function is restored quickly. For species
that do not need continuous cover ‘stepping stone’/ patches of similar habitat may be
appropriate.
3.3.8 Car Parking
Car parking shall be carefully designed to integrate successfully into its location in terms of
layout, surface treatment and screen planting. New development will normally be required by to
provide adequate off-street car parking and loading facilities, and shall be in line with the
standards of the County Development Plan. For security reasons, car parking should always be
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