Rural House Design Guide (County Development Plan 2023–2029, appendix 4)

1. Page 51

   Cite this pagePDF p. 51 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   7.ELEMENTS OF THE LANDSCAPE 53 Avoid Replacing boundaries with unsympathetic fencing, pre-cast decorative concrete blocks and artificial stone. Using fussy and elaborate entrance gates and lights or excessive stonework capping. Building high boundary walls and entrance piers/gates which dominate the site and the surrounding rural area. Using suburban inspired entrances which are at odds with the rural character of the area (i.e., large electric gates and excessive lighting) Some examples of unsuitable entrances and boundary treatments are shown in figures 7.8-7.10. Figure 7.8 – Avoid overelaborate entrance gates, excessive lighting, decorative walls and an impermeable driveway. Figure 7.9 – Avoid overelaborate suburban entrances, pre-cast walling, pillars and ornaments. Figure 7.10 – Unsympathetic replacement of boundaries and house not buffered from the road.

2. Page 52

   Cite this pagePDF p. 52 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   7.ELEMENTS OF THE LANDSCAPE 54 7.3 - Rural Gardens: When considering garden design, the applicant should refer to the ‘Kildare Pollinator Action Plan 2019-2022’ which gives clear advice on how to improve the environment for pollinators for example by reducing grass mowing, by allowing hedges to bloom, by planting pollinator friendly plants and by reducing the use of pesticides. Trees and hedgerows help blend new buildings into the landscape and greatly enhance the amenity and wildlife value of rural developments. Irish country gardens stand out from the traditional suburban gardens by the way they embrace the house and appear to connect seamlessly to the natural landscape. Trees and hedgerows will provide the site with colour, texture, and structure. Effective planting will screen unattractive views, absorb road noise, and provide privacy. Landscaping plans should be based on prevailing site opportunities and conditions. The following key elements should be incorporated within the landscape plan to produce a cohesive and effective layout: - Native tree planting; and - Shelter from the prevailing winds Native species should be planted as they do not require a lot of maintenance to survive and provide enormous benefits for wildlife habitats. For information on native species please refer to Kildare County Council’s publication, Good Practice Guidelines for Householders – Biodiversity and Development in County Kildare. Some examples are included in section 7.4. Figure 7.11 – Country Garden Recommended / Key Principles Design informal layouts. Plant wild meadows or strimmed grass areas which are more natural to rural areas. Plant native trees in groups of three or more. Retain ponds and ditches on the site. Create new mixed hedgerows of native/local species to maintain biodiversity. Screen large areas of lawn or incorporate to the side and / or rear.

3. Page 53

   Cite this pagePDF p. 53 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   7.ELEMENTS OF THE LANDSCAPE 55 Some examples of these key principles are shown in figure 7.12 below. Figure 7.12 – Example of garden treatment without lawn between house and the road. Avoid Using suburban type landscaping – i.e., formal symmetrical layouts, straight lines are not always appropriate in rural areas. Large areas of mown lawn. It is strongly recommended to avoid planting Leyland Cypress (non-native single species) and Cherry Laurel (invasive especially in woodlands). Extensive areas used for driveways and paving. Excessive car parking areas to the front of the dwelling. Examples of some inappropriate arrangements are illustrated in figures 7.13, 7.14. Figure 7.13 – Suburban garden with large area of mown lawn, inappropriate boundary treatment and no buffering. Figure 7.14 – Series of suburban type gardens in the countryside spoiling the rural character of the area. The illustration above highlights large areas of mown lawn with car parking and turning confined to the front of the dwellings.

4. Page 54

   Cite this pagePDF p. 54 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   7.ELEMENTS OF THE LANDSCAPE 56 7.4 – Biodiversity/ Indigenous Species: The following are some examples of indigenous species in rural areas of county Kildare which are recommended in rural gardens and boundary treatments. Applicants are also encouraged to consider wild garden areas and pollinator friendly species of trees, flowers and plants as referred to in the ‘Kildare Pollinator Plan 2019-2022’. Hedgerow species common in Kildare include: - Hawthorn - Ash - Elder - Blackthorn - Privet - Elm - Willow - Hazel - Sycamore - Gorse - Holly - Beech - Wild Plum - Crab Apple - Spindle - Oak - Guelder Rose - Snowberry Hedgerows provide important ecological, visual, and environmental benefits. They act as a refuge for wild plants and insects, provide habitat corridors, shelter for livestock and crops, homes for wildlife, sources of food, carbon sequestration and help to reduce flooding and pollution. Included below are some images of native species common to Kildare. Figure 7.15 - Apple Tree Figure 7.16 – Whitethorn Figure 7.17 – Blackthorn Figure 7.18 – Alder

5. Page 55

   Cite this pagePDF p. 55 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   7.ELEMENTS OF THE LANDSCAPE 57 Key considerations: - Retain as many boundaries as possible. - Ensure minimal removal of existing boundary / hedgerow to achieve sightlines. - Replace any section of boundary / hedgerow which has been removed. - New boundary planting to be indigenous species and pollinator friendly. - Entrance to be simple in form with gentle lines on gates and stout pillars. - Use permeable material for the driveway, loose stones / gravel helps to reduce surface water run-off. - Screen the house from the road by maintaining hedgerows and / or planting new indigenous pollinator friendly species. - Allow part of the garden to grow wild, keep mown areas to a minimum. - Design / allow garden to grow in an informal way. - Ensure car parking and turning space is incorporated to the rear / side of the dwelling.

6. Page 56

   Cite this pagePDF p. 56 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   8. EXTENSIONS, ACCESSIBILITY & LIFETIME ADAPTABILITY 58 Buildings should be designed with flexibility and adaptability in mind. This section explores how houses can be extended and adapted as the needs of occupiers change in relation to the following: x Extensions x Accessibility x Lifetime Adaptability 8.1 - Extensions: A new house should be designed so that it is capable of absorbing sensitive future extension if necessary, rather than building a new dwelling. A distinction should generally be made between the old and the new so that the various building phases can be recognised as a harmonious progression of development with the external form and historic character of the building being maintained. Care should be taken that the proposed extension does not compromise the daylight, natural ventilation, or structural integrity of the original building. A good design should not confuse the legibility of the original building footprint and form. Figure 8.1 – Refurbishment and extension, Ballymahon House (ODOS Architects).

7. Page 57

   Cite this pagePDF p. 57 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   8. EXTENSIONS, ACCESSIBILITY & LIFETIME ADAPTABILITY 59 Figure 8.2 – Cottage Renovation and ‘Barn’ Roofed Extension (Michael Kelly, Architects). Figure 8.3 – Extension to side of house. Glengowla, Co. Galway (Boyer Kennihan Architects). A good extension should be subservient to the main dwelling i.e. extensions should be so designed that they look like extensions rather than a new house attached to an old house. Extensions to Vernacular Structures: Where extensions are proposed to an existing vernacular cottage, care should be taken so that the extension does not detract from the original character of the building. Extensions to the front and gable of cottages should be avoided. - An extension to the front can mask original detailing or it can alter the proportions of the front façade which detracts from the original character. - An extension to the side can upset the symmetry of the cottage and may result in the loss of the original scale of the cottage. Figure 8.4 – Contemporary extension located to the rear of a rural cottage. An extension to the rear that is visible from the road or above the original ridge line can also detract from the character of the cottage.

8. Page 58

   Cite this pagePDF p. 58 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   60 8. EXTENSIONS, ACCESSIBILITY & LIFETIME ADAPTABILITY Rear extensions should take account of side and rear views from a public road, and the extension should not dominate the existing cottage. Figure 8.5 – Example of an extension to an old cottage designed to accommodate modern living needs. Modern living makes demands on traditional buildings that can only be met by alteration and adaptation. In general, amendments to the internal layout in response to the demand for services, additional and separated room space may have significant effects on the integrity of a vernacular structure or the quality of the internal spaces themselves considering the traditional narrow plan characteristics. Where possible, changes to the structure and layout should be minimised and improvements in the amenity accommodated within the new build elements of the project. Below are some inappropriate design solutions for extensions to cottages. Figure 8.6 – Inappropriate design solutions for an extension to a vernacular structure

9. Page 59

   Cite this pagePDF p. 59 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   8. EXTENSIONS, ACCESSIBILITY & LIFETIME ADAPTABILITY 61 Highlighted in figure 8.7 below are some more appropriate design solutions to vernacular structures. Figure 8.7 – appropriate design solutions for an extension to a vernacular structure Extension Shape Examples: Outlined within this section are examples of some of the preferred extension shapes. An extension should not dominate the existing structure. Flat roofed extensions may be appropriate when considered as part of a contemporary approach designed by a professional. Figure 8.8 – Double & slipped roof. Figure 8.9 – Valley Roof.

10. Page 60

    Cite this pagePDF p. 60 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
    8. EXTENSIONS, ACCESSIBILITY & LIFETIME ADAPTABILITY 62 Figure 8.10 – Contemporary flat roof. Figure 8.11 – Extension linking to a converted outbuilding. Figure 8.12 – ‘L’ shaped pitched roof extension 8.2 - Accessibility: All new houses should be reasonably accessible for older people, the very young and people with disabilities. The house should be able to provide for the needs of people with moderate mobility difficulties and the normal frailty associated with old age. In this regard, applicants are advised to be aware of their obligations to comply with the Building Regulations (which are separate to the Planning Regulations) particularly in relation to access and fire escape.

Source Kildare County Council: Rural House Design Guide (County Development Plan 2023–2029, appendix 4) (2023) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.