Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements: Guidelines for Planning Authorities

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   (iii) Green and Blue Infrastructure Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) is a strategically planned network of natural and seminatural areas designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services, while also enhancing biodiversity. Ecosystem services include water purification, enhancing air quality, space for recreation and climate mitigation and adaption. In settlements, GBI includes features such as rivers and canals, coastline and coastal habitats, green spaces (including parks), Nature-based Solutions and amenity sites that deliver ecosystem services and contribute to healthy, low carbon, resilient and connected settlements and places. National Planning Objective 58 of the NPF requires integrated planning for Green Infrastructure and ecosystem services as part of the preparation of statutory land use plans. Development plans should include (or be informed by) a Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy and include objectives for the conservation, restoration and enhancement of natural assets and GBI networks. These objectives can be refined further in local statutory plans and guidance documents in response to local circumstances. The following key principles should be applied in the preparation of local plans and in the preparation and consideration of individual planning applications, (Figure 4.4 also refers): (a) Plan for the protection, restoration and enhancement of natural features, biodiversity and landscapes, and ensure that urban development maintains an appropriate separation and setback from important natural assets. New development should seek to protect and enhance important natural features (habitats and species) within and around the site, should avoid the degradation of ecosystems and include measures to mitigate against any potential negative ecological impacts. (b) Plan for an integrated network of multifunctional and interlinked urban green spaces. This is addressed further in subsection (iii) Public Open Space below. (c) Promote urban greening and Nature-based Solutions (including Sustainable Drainage Systems and slow-the-flow initiatives) for the management of urban surface waters in all new developments and retrofitting in existing areas to ensure that the benefits of ecosystem services are realised13. Planning authorities should adopt a naturebased approach to urban drainage that uses soft-engineering techniques and native vegetation (including the protection of the riparian zone) to minimise the impact on natural river processes. (d) The use of Nature-based Solutions at ground level may not be possible on certain brownfield sites due to historic land contamination. In such cases, alternative solutions such as green roofs and walls can be considered. (iv) Public Open Space All statutory development plans should include a strategy for the provision of an integrated hierarchy of public open spaces and corridors across the plan area to meet the needs of the planned population. The availability of accessible and high quality public open spaces within all settlements that are part of a wider GBI network will be important in creating sustainable settlements. This should include a hierarchy of multifunctional public open spaces and corridors that are accessible and provide for the recreational needs of the planned population, while also creating space for nature and ecosystem services. 13 Refer to DHLGH publication Nature-based Solutions to the Management of Rainwater and Surface Water Runoff in Urban Areas Water Sensitive Urban Design Best Practice Interim Guidance Document, 2022 for further information in relation to Water Sensitive Urban Design. Page 45Sustainable and Compact Settlements | Guidelines for Planning Authorities | Chapter 4

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   The public open space strategy in the development plan should include objectives relating to the provision of: (a) Regional, district and local level public parks and greenways. These are generally publically owned and managed parks e.g. by a local authority or public body such as the OPW or Waterways Ireland. (b) Public open space provided as part of new development proposals. These spaces should be designed to retain and protect natural features and habitats of importance within the site and to maximise biodiversity gain. They should also form an integral part of the overall design. These spaces may be offered for taking in charge by the local authority following the completion of the development. The objectives of the development plan public open space strategy should be informed by the objectives of the RSESs and any regional GBI strategy. The form, size and distribution of new public open spaces should be plan led and take account of open space provision within the area and broader nature conservation and environmental considerations. While there is no set standard of open space provision per settlement in Ireland, it is recommended that opportunities to enhance the overall quantum of public open space and to restore and enhance nature and biodiversity within settlements is harnessed where opportunities arise, for example, through regeneration or urban enhancement projects and in new development areas. The level of provision should take account of the needs of the planned population, protected zones, landscape character and statutory obligations to protect certain habitats and biodiversity. Ideally, all residents within a settlement will have access to a multi-functional public open space within walking distance of their home. Public open spaces should be designed to cater for a range of active and passive recreational needs (including play, physical activity, active travel, cultural uses and community gardens and allotments, as appropriate to the context) and to conserve and restore nature and biodiversity. It will be necessary to balance improved access to natural assets with the need to protect the environment as increased levels of tourism, sports and leisure can impact negatively on nature and biodiversity. In addition, the provision of public open spaces should not result in any direct or indirect adverse effects on the integrity of European Sites. Chapter 5 includes minimum requirements for the provision of open space in new residential developments, based on the net site area.Sustainable and Compact Settlements | Guidelines for Planning Authorities | Chapter 4 Page 46

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   Page 47 Figure 4.4: Key quality urban design and placemaking outcomes in relation to green and blue Infrastructure network (including open space, landscape and heritage). Interconnected green spaces and corridors (Image base: Bradley Murphy Design) Nature-based solutions to urban drainage Integration with landscape/biodiversity Accessible and diverse range of public spaces Page 47Sustainable and Compact Settlements | Guidelines for Planning Authorities | Chapter 4

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   (v) Responsive Built Form Built form refers to the layout, position and composition of buildings and to how buildings address streets and open spaces. This is a key element in ensuring the creation of attractive and well-designed settlements. The following key principles should be applied in the preparation of local plans and in the consideration of individual planning applications (Figure 4.5 also refers): (a) New development should support the formation of a legible and coherent urban structure with landmark buildings and features at key nodes and focal points. (b) New development should respond in a positive way to the established pattern and form of development and to the wider scale of development in the surrounding area. The height, scale and massing of development in particular should respond positively to and enhance the established pattern of development (including streets and spaces). (c) The urban structure of new development should strengthen the overall urban structure and create opportunities for new linkages where possible. (d) Buildings should generally present well-defined edges to streets and public spaces to ensure that the public realm is well-overlooked with active frontages. (e) New development should embrace good modern architecture and urban design that is innovative and varied, and respects and enhances local distinctiveness and heritage. (f) Materials and finishes should be of high quality, respond to the local palette of materials and finishes and be highly durable. Policy and Objective 4.2 It is a policy and objective of these Guidelines that the key indicators of quality urban design and placemaking set out in Section 4.4 are applied within statutory development plans and in the consideration of individual planning applications.Sustainable and Compact Settlements | Guidelines for Planning Authorities | Chapter 4 Page 48

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   Page 49 Figure 4.5: Key quality urban design and placemaking outcomes in relation to the urban structure and built form Legible urban structure (Image source: Dublin City Council) Appropriate scale, massing and height Distinctive design strategy (Image Source: JTP/Craig Auckland, Fotohaus) Well-defined edges that activate/animate streets and spaces Page 49Sustainable and Compact Settlements | Guidelines for Planning Authorities | Chapter 4

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   (Image source: DK Architects) 5.0 Development Standards for Housing

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   5.0 Development Standards for Housing 5.1 Introduction Previous chapters have focused on settlements, density and urban design and placemaking at settlement, neighbourhood and site levels. This chapter focuses on the design of housing units and the relationship with their immediate surroundings. The quality of new housing can play a significant role in improving health and wellbeing and contributes to sustainable development. One of the core principles of these Guidelines is to support, alongside national building standards, new homes that provide a high standard of amenity while also achieving sustainable and lower carbon development. It will also be necessary to ensure that new housing integrates well and that the safety and amenity of residential and other sensitive occupiers of adjacent properties is safeguarded to a reasonable extent. 5.2 Need for Change The continued application of suburban housing standards originally conceived during the 20th century is hampering innovation in the housing sector in Ireland. In particular, the inclusion of suburban housing standards in some development plans has precluded compact own-door housing solutions that have the potential to offer a broader range of housing options. Low-rise14 medium-density housing models that are common in the UK, Europe and internationally offer significant potential to contribute to compact urban growth, when applied at the right locations. These models can deliver densities of 40 dph to 100 dph (net) with a high proportion of own-door units. Key design principles include reduced plot sizes and a tighter arrangement of houses compared to suburban housing, narrower streets and smaller street setbacks, reduced car parking ratios and distribution of private open space in the form of patio gardens and/or upper level terraces and balconies (Figure 5.1 and Appendix E refers). There is also a strong emphasis on creating high quality streets and public spaces, important in creating a strong sense of place and community. These models of housing combine modern housing standards with a more traditional town and village urban form. With significant population growth forecast, and changing demographics that will see a more diverse range of households, it is Government policy to support medium density ‘own door’ housing models in Ireland, alongside traditional housing and apartment developments. This policy is aligned to NPF priorities for compact growth and with Housing for All priorities to provide a greater range of housing options. 14 Typically 3 to 4 storey.Sustainable and Compact Settlements | Guidelines for Planning Authorities | Chapter 5 Page 52

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   Figure 5.1: Key characteristics of low-rise compact forms of ‘own door’ housing. Varied forms of open space at multiple levels Image Base: DK Architects Integrated parking solutions Reduced separation/privacy measures Narrow streets and small setbacksVaried housing types Narrow blocks, small plots and compact layouts Image Source: Alison Brooks Architects Page 53Sustainable and Compact Settlements | Guidelines for Planning Authorities | Chapter 5

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    5.3 Standards for Housing To enable greater innovation, a graduated and flexible approach to the application of residential development standards is required across all housing types. In particular, it is necessary to review and update standards in statutory development plans in relation to separation between dwellings, private, semi-private and public open space provision, car parking and cycle parking. 5.3.1 Separation Distances A requirement for a minimum separation of 22 metres between opposing upper floor rear windows has formed part of suburban housing design since the early 20th century. The standard does not account for modern methods of design and construction and the capability of modern computer-based design programmes to model outcomes in relation to sunlight, daylight and privacy. Through the careful massing and positioning of blocks, positioning of windows and the integration of open space at multiple levels it is possible to achieve a high standard of residential amenity and good placemaking with separation distances of less than 22 metres. Separation distances should, therefore, be determined based on considerations of privacy and amenity, informed by the layout, design and site characteristics of the specific proposed development. SPPR 1 - Separation Distances It is a specific planning policy requirement of these Guidelines that statutory development plans15 shall not include an objective in respect of minimum separation distances that exceed 16 metres between opposing windows serving habitable rooms at the rear or side of houses, duplex units or apartment units above ground floor level. When considering a planning application for residential development, a separation distance of at least 16 metres between opposing windows serving habitable rooms16 at the rear or side of houses, duplex units and apartment units, above ground floor level shall be maintained. Separation distances below 16 metres may be considered acceptable in circumstances where there are no opposing windows serving habitable rooms and where suitable privacy measures have been designed into the scheme to prevent undue overlooking of habitable rooms and private amenity spaces. There shall be no specified minimum separation distance at ground level or to the front of houses, duplex units and apartment units in statutory development plans and planning applications shall be determined on a case-by-case basis to prevent undue loss of privacy. In all cases, the obligation will be on the project proposer to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the planning authority or An Bord Pleanála that residents will enjoy a high standard of amenity and that the proposed development will not have a significant negative impact on the amenity of occupiers of existing residential properties. This SPPR will not apply to applications made in a Strategic Development Zone until the Planning Scheme is amended to integrate changes arising from the SPPR. Refer to Section 2.1.2 for further detail. 15 Any reference to a statutory development plan(s) in these Guidelines refers to all development plans made under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) or under any replacement Planning and Development Act, including local area plans and strategic development zones planning schemes. 16 Refer to definition in Appendix A: Glossary of Terms.Sustainable and Compact Settlements | Guidelines for Planning Authorities | Chapter 5 Page 54

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