House design guide
What Kerry wants your home to look like
Kerry County Council requires new rural housing and extensions to match the character, scale, and density of their surroundings while protecting the natural landscape. The council strongly prioritizes the sympathetic renovation and reuse of existing traditional or vernacular buildings over demolition or new builds. One-off holiday homes are strictly prohibited in the open rural countryside and must be located within established towns or villages.
Accepted house types & forms
What they want to see
Encouraged by the guide
Renovation and restoration of existing vacant structures(Page 80-81)
Priority and positive consideration is given to the renovation and restoration of existing structures and vacant buildings in the countryside for use as permanent primary residences, preserving vernacular heritage.
Sympathetic extension and refurbishment scale(Page 81)
Refurbishment and extension proposals must have a scale and architectural treatment sympathetic to the character of the original structure and the surrounding area.
Compliance with rural design guidelines(Page 79 (Objective KCDP 5-20))
All designs for housing in rural areas must comply with the 'Building a House in Rural Kerry Design Guidelines 2009' or any update of those guidelines.
Cluster housing developments(Pages 72-73 (Objective KCDP 5-9))
Residential cluster developments served by individual on-site wastewater systems are supported in designated small villages to consolidate the existing settlement footprint.
What gets refused
Discouraged by the guide
One-off holiday or second homes in the countryside(Page 80 (Objective KCDP 5-21))
One-off holiday or second homes are not permitted in rural areas and must be located in established towns or villages.
Demolition of vernacular structures(Page 81)
There is a presumption against the demolition of vernacular rural dwellings and structures where restoration or adaptation is a feasible option.
Replacement of existing dwellings(Page 81)
Replacement of an existing dwelling is considered only in limited circumstances where renovation or restoration is not feasible under best conservation practices.
Restoration of highly ruined structures(Page 81)
To be eligible for restoration or renovation, the structure must constitute an identifiable dwelling with its walls and roof intact.
Materials & finishes
- Sympathetic architectural treatment of proposed works to match the character of the original vernacular structure (Page 81)
Roofs & form
- Intact roof and walls required for a structure to be considered an identifiable dwelling for restoration (Page 81)
- Sympathetic scale and form for extensions to respect the original building and adjoining developments (Page 81)
Siting & landscape
- Design of housing in rural areas must not negatively affect the landscape, natural and built heritage, economic assets, or environment of the county (Page 79, Objective KCDP 5-17)
- Scale, design, and layout of housing in rural settlements must reflect the character, scale, and density of the town or village (Page 72)
- Developments must protect important landscapes and environmentally sensitive areas (Page 78, Objective KCDP 5-14)