Design guide · Galway County Council
Design Guidelines for Single Rural Housing
The council's guidance on siting and designing a house in the countryside.
Galway County Council · 58 pages
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- Galway County Council Page no. 49 The following information is extracted from a publication by An Foras Forbartha - part 3 ‘Trees, shrubs, ground cover plants and climbers for informal landscaping in areas of natural beauty or amenity ‘. Prepared by Niall Hyde and Ann C.M. Quinn. A revised edition is available from the NRA website Introduction Informal landscaping could be defined as the use of plants to create a ‘naturalistic’ scene. Quite often the object of planting would be to protect the existing natural beauty of the area by providing screening for some unsightly development or by helping to integrate new development, for example buildings and roads, with the existing landscape. For this reason the plants included in this list are largely native to Ireland and the remainder appear ‘natural’ to the untrained eye. Many plants which undoubtedly grow in Ireland such as Phormium tenax or various Eucalyptus species are not included in the list as these look exotic and would in themselves be as obtrusive as the development which it is desired to ‘blend in’ with the landscape. While an effort was made to make the list as extensive as possible (by consulting all the various sources of expert knowledge) it is not fully comprehensive and should not be regarded as an officially approved list. There are undoubtedly plants absent from this list which are appropriate for informal landscaping and which are not included. This document is a basic list of suitable plants for different situations. Advice on the selection of species; planting and maintenance for any specific site should be obtained from a landscape architect and/ or a Horticultural Advisor. Trees & shrubs Exposed situations beside the sea In exposed coastal areas the following are the species which are most likely to succeed. Almost all of them would benefit in the first few years from protection by an artificial wind barrier, e.g. a timber lath screen. The species are selected for their tolerance to wind and to salt-laden atmosphere. Those indicated by * are regarded as being the most outstanding plants for exposed maritime situations. There are places on the west coast of Ireland where, because of conditions of severe exposure, no trees or shrubs will grow. *Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) Lycium chinense *Alnus glutinosa (Alder) *Olearia macrodonta ‘Traversii’(Daisybush) *Atriplex halimus ‘Portulacoides’ Picea sitchensis (Spruce) Elaeagnus macrophylla pungens *Pinus nigra ‘Var maritime’ (Pine) Escallonia macrantha *Pinaster radiate *Euonymus japonicus Populus alba (Poplar) Fraxinus excelsior (Ash) Quercus ilex (Evergreen Oak) Fuchsia magellanica Salix alba (Willow) Hebe brachysiphon Sambucus nigra (Elder) *Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Bushthorn) *Senecio greyii *Ilex aquifolium ‘Var madarense’ Sorbus intermedia *Tamarix species Sorbus aria (Mountain Ash + Whitebeam) *Ulex europaeus (Gorse) 388 389 390 391 392
- Galway County Council Page no. 50 393 394 395 396 397 Sand Dunes The following species have been selected on the basis of their tolerance to wind, salt spray and to well-drained and almost pure sandy conditions of dune systems. Ammophila arenaria is most suited for areas of blowing sand, as it needs a constant supply of fresh sand. Species such as Alnus glutinosa and Salix repens are suitable only for sand slacks with a high water table. The other species are best in the more stable mature dune areas. Suaeda fruticosa has been used to stabilize shingle banks. Alnus glutinosa (Alder) Pinus nigra ‘Var maritime’ (Pine) Ammophila arenaria Pinaster Atriplex halimus Radiate Clematis montana Rosa rugosa ‘Spinosissima’(Wild Roses) Euonymus japonicus Salix repens (Willow) Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Bushthorn) Suaeda fruticosa Lupinus arboreus (Bush Lupin) Tamarix species Lycium chinense Heavy Clay Soils The following species are suitable for heavy clays and poorly drained sites Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamor) Ilex aquifolium (Holly) Alnus glutinosa (Alder) Picea species (Spruce) Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam) Populus species (Poplar - requires setback) Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Quercus cerris ‘Robur ‘(Oak) Corylus avellana (Hazel) Salix alba (Willow) Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) Sambucus nigra (Elder) Fraxinus excelsior (Ash) Thuja plicata Areas with high water table and subject to flooding None of the following species will grow in stagnant waterlogged conditions. They are, however, the plants which are most likely to grow on sites with a high water table, subject to occasional flooding, or on banks near moving water. Alnus species (Alder) Populus species (Poplar) Cornus alba ‘Sanuinea’ (Dogwood) Rhamnus frangula Picea species (Spruce) Spiraea salicifolia Taxodium distichum Salix repens (Willow) Peat and Boggy Areas Alnus incana (Alder) Pinus contorta / sylvestris (Pine) Betula species (Birch) Salix species Cornus alba (Dogwood) Sorbus aucuparia (Mountain Ash/Rowan) Erica species (Heather) Spiraea salicifolia Myrica gale Ulex species (Gorse) Picea species (Spruce) Dry Banks Cytisus scoparius (Scotch Broom) Juniperus species (Juniper) Genista hispanica (Spanish Broom) Spartium junceum Hedera helix (Ivy) Ulex species (Gorse) Helianthemum nummularium (Rock rose) Vinca species (Periwinkle) Choisy a ternate (Mexican Orange Blossom) Alchemilla species
- Galway County Council Page no. 51 Shaded Areas The following plants are tolerant of shaded conditions and are suitable for planting under trees where full visual screening is required. Plants preceded by * withstand heavy shading and the remainder will tolerate partial shading. Abies alba ‘Grandis’ Hedera helix (Ivy) *Buxus sempervirens (Box) *Vinca species (Periwinkle) Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam) *Lonicera nitida Corylus avellana (Hazel) Pittosporum tenuifolium *Euonymus japonicus ‘Radicans’ Platanus acerifolia Fagus sylvatica *Ruscus aculeatus *Griselinia littoralis Prunus laurocerasus (Laurel) *Ilex aquifolium (Holly) Tsuga heterophylla Hedgerows These trees and scrubs are suitable where it is desired to plant a boundary which will fit in visually with surrounding hedgerows, which will fit in visually with surrounding hedgerows, which should first be examined in order to determine local hedgerow species. These species should be predominant in the new planting Acer campestre / pseudoplatanus (Field maple / Sycamore) Prunus avium ‘Spinosa’ (Bird Cherry) Alnus glutinosa (Alder) Quercus robur (Oak) Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam) Rhamnus cathartica Corylus avellana (Hazel) Rosa canina / eglanteria (Dog rose) Crataegus monogyna / rugosa Euonymus europaeus ‘Japonicus’ Salix species (Willows) Fraxinus excelsior (Ash) Sambucus nigra (Elder) Hedera helix (Ivy) Sorbus aria aucuparia (Whitebeam + Rowan) Ilex aquifolium (Holly) Ulex europaeus (Gorse) Lonicera periclymenum (Honeysuckle / Woodbine) Virburnum lantana (Guelder Rose) opulus Malus pumila (Crab Apple) Populus alba (Poplar) Note : Poplar Trees should not be grown close to public roads, driveways or buildings, as some species shed branches frequently when mature. Exposed Upland Areas Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) Pinus contorta (Pine) Betula species (Birch) Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) Calluna vulgaris (Heathers) Quercus cerris (Oak) Corylus avellana (Hazel) Salix caprea (Willow) Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan) Erica species (Heathers) Ulex gallii (Gorse) Ilex aquifolium (Holly) Viburnum lantana Larix species (Larch) Fast Growing Plants The following plants, given the site conditions appropriate to the plant, can be expected to put on approx. 18’’ in height per annum. Plants preceded by * can be expected to put on 24’’ + per annum. Trees Acer platanoides / pseudoplatanus (Maple / Sycamore) Pinus radiate (Pine) Alnus glutinosa (Alder) *Populus alba (Poplar) *Populus canescens (Poplar) Cupressus macrocarpa Populus robusta (Poplar) Fraxinus excelsior (Ash) Populus serotina (Poplar) *Larix leptolepis (Larch) Robinia pseudacacia - brittle, needs shelter *Picea sitchenis (Spruce) *Salix alba (White willow) Pinus pinaster (Pine) Salix caprea (Pussy willow) Shrubs Buddleia davidii (Butterfly bush) - good for wildlife Euonymus europaeus Cotoneaster frigida ‘Glaucophylla’ *Olearia macrodonta (Daisy bush) Elaeagnus umbellate traversii Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) Escallonia x langleyensis Sambucus nigra (Elder)
- Galway County Council Page no. 52 A room of one’s Own The Arts Council Anatomy of the House The Lighthouse Akiko Busch Geography of Home Princeton Architectural Press Dr. Martin Feely Galway in Stone Geoscapes Sean Rothery A field guide to the buildings of Ireland Lilliput Press Patrick McAfee Irish stone Walls O’Brien McDonald & Doyle Ireland’s earthen Houses A + A Farmer Thompson/Rose Site / Architecture Michigan Architectural Press Dominic Stevens Domestic Mermaid Turbulence Grafton Architects Profile Gandon Editions O’Donnell & Twomey Profile Gandon Editions Niall McCullough Palimpsest - change in the Irish Anne Street Press building tradition Architectural Association AAI Awards 8 - 16 Gandon Editions Matthew McDermott Irelands architectural Heritage Folens R.I.A.I. Building on the edge of Europe Gandon Editions Micheal Jenner Ireland through the Ages Claremont Books Laura C. Zeiler The ecology of Architecture Whitney Library of Design Krapmeier / Drossler Cepheus - living comfort without heating Springer Weir Vicky Richardson New vernacular Architecture Laurence King Publishing Roxana Waterson The living House Whitney Library of Design Paul Oliver Dwellings - the vernacular house worldwide Phaidon Architecture & Urbanism The House - 8 Architects in Ireland A + U Richard Weston Materials, Form & Architecture Lawrence King Publishing Jill Herbes Prefab Modern Harper Design Aalen, Whelan, Stout Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape Cork University Press McCullough & Mulvin A Lost Tradition - the nature of Architecture in Ireland Gandon Editions Catherine Spellman Re-Envisioning Landscape / Architecture Actar UCD School of Architecture / Philip Geoghegan Building sensitively in Ireland’s Landscape Bord Failte / An Taisce Icon Architecture & Urban Design Building Sensitively & Sustainably in County Louth G a n d o n E d i t i o n s Royal Incorporation of Architects Fields of Vision - new ideas in rural house design R.I.A.S. D.O.E Northern Ireland A Design Guide for Rural Northern Ireland HMSO Publications Paul Keogh Architects County Mayo Housing Design Guidelines - Draft McGowans The Planning Dept. A Guide to Location, Site & Design Donegal County Council Forward Planning Unit Design Guidelines for the Single Rural House Galway County Council Buchannan / Cork County Council Quinn, Hyde, O’Doherty Planning for Amenity, Recreation and Tourism An Foras Forbartha E.P.A Treatment Systems for Single Houses E.P.A. D.O.E. Sustainable Rural Housing - Guidelines for Planning D.O.E. D.O.E. Building Regulations - Technical Guidance Documents D.O.E Construct Ireland Temple Media R.I.A.I Build your own House and Home Dyflin Publications R.I.A.I Architecture Ireland Nova Publishing R.I.A.I House - Architecture, Design, Garden, Advice Nova Publishing Karl Kramer Verlag A + D , Architecture + Detail 1 - 20 Karl Kramer Verlag bibliography
- Galway County Council Page no. 53 Photo credits Ben Rilot - Rilot + 10,11,92,,93,169, Studio M 270, Simon J. Kelly Architects 44,86,87,166,170,174,226,258,276,305,351, Sean Dockry Architects 70,89,172,173,194,198,248,262,264,279,336,342,363,377, Isla Architects 81, Richard Murphy Architects 359,364, Paul Forder Architect 90,91, Padraig Redmond Architect 14,83,228,232,282,311,313,326,333, OKM Architects 256,346,361, John Yates Architect 164,190,196,204,206,218,233,244,245,246,247,285,297,337,338, John Dorman Architect 6,88,236,350, Colin Bell Architect 197,229,231,239,240,241, David Heffernan Architect 71,97,235,300,302,347, Cox / Power Architects 3,95,96,163,167,168,192,193,199,205,227,234,238,249,255,272,288,291,295,309,316,318,320,322,323,343,344,352,360,371,373, Chris Kearns 242,334,335,348,353,354,370, Aughey O’Flaherty Architects 4,15,46,175,176,177,178,179,180,259,260,261,365,366,367, Aonghus McCann Architect 45,69,162,171,216,237,243,281,290,299,306,310,321, Alan Mee Architect 7,165, Mark Guard Architect 2 Architecture + Detail - courtesy of Tegral 98,345, Raymond F. MacDonnell Architect 121,122,123,124,125, de Blacam & Meagher Architects 250,314,341, Roddy Mannion Architect 253,301,303,324,325, Architects unknown 160,161,201,203,215,251,252,254,263,265,266,267,280,298,301,330,331,355, Marie Mannion - Heritage Officer, Galway County Council 136,137,138,139,141,143, Declan Molloy Architect - Galway County Council - photos only 1,5,8,9,12,13,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,82,84,85,99,100,101,102,103,104,105 106,107,108,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,127,128,129,130,131,132,133,134,135,140,142,144,145,146,147,148,149,150,151,152,153,154,155,156,157,158,159,160,161,181,182,183,184,185,186,187,188,189,191,195,200, 201,202,203,207,208,209,210,211,212,213,214,215,217,219,220,221,222,223,224,225,251,252,254,257,263,265,266,267,268,269,271,273,274,275,277,278,280,283,284,286,287,289,292,293,294,296,298,304,307,308,312,315,317,319,327,328, 329,330,331,332,339,340,349,355,356,362,368,369,372,374,375,376,378,379,380,381,382,383,384,385,386,387,388,389,390,391,392,393,394,395,396,397. photo & design credits Sketches by Declan Molloy - Architect, Galway County Council, unless otherwise stated
- Galway County Council Page no. 54 The author would sincerely like to thank all those who contributed to these guidelines and in particular the following : Galway County Council - Planning and Economic Department - Forward Planning Unit, Heritage Officer & Conservation Officer. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland - in particular the chairman of the Western Region ; David Power on assistance with photo images. The Western Group of Architects - in particular the secretary Fergal O’Dowd on assistance with photo images. Galway Architects & Engineers Group - in particular the chairman Bryan Egan for correspondence. Mr. Billy Houlihan, County Architect , Cork County Council - for his valued time, knowledge and insight of our built heritage along with the seminal publication for single rural house design which is a constant source of inspiration and a benchmark for future rural design. acknowledgements
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- Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland - Best Building in the Landscape Award 2005 - Aughey O’Flaherty 4
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