Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses

1. Page 41

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   C o u n t y L i m e r i c k : R u r a l D e s i g n A d v i c e f o r I n d i v i d u a l H o u s e s i n t h e C o u n t r y s i d e 37. P L A N N I N G T H E S I T E 4. SEAI operates a number of programmes that provide financial support in the provision of superior energy technologies. Scheme eligibility criteria and terms and conditions are available from www.sei.ie. There are specific planning requirements for the installation or erection of a solar panels and wind turbines on, or within the curtilage of a house, or any buildings within the curtilage. Solar Energy Solar is a clean, renewable energy generated from the sun. The main domestic applications are: Solar Hot Water Heating Systems - for domestic applications comprise of a solar collector (solar panel, flat plate or evacuated tube), hot water storage cylinder and a pump. Panels should ideally face south and be mounted on the main property roof, or in some cases on a shed roof or floor/wall mounted. Flat plate collectors can be installed as an integral part of the roof construction, or retrofitted to existing buildings. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) - involves generating electricity from the sun's energy that exists in daylight. Groups of PV cells are electrically configured into modules and arrays, which can be used to charge batteries, operate motors and to power electrical tools. With a converter, PV systems can produce alternating current (AC) compatible with conventional appliances. PV is silent and has low visual impact. Solar panels are most effective when located on a pitched roof (or a frame of suitable pitch) facing southeast, south, or south-west (preferably). They should not be in shadow. The pitch of the panel should be between 35-45 degrees. If considering the installation of solar panels, you will need to provide (as a minimum) the following information to Limerick County Council:  Dimensions of the panels, their number, type, and the projection above the roof slope;  Their colour;  Plan showing their position on the building;  Brief technical specifications such as power output (as usually supplied by the manufacturer); or  Grounds for exemption (if being claimed). Wind Energy Wind turbines harness the wind to produce electrical power. The efficiency of a domestic system will depend on factors such as location and surrounding environment. The LCEA suggest that the useful size for a rural dwelling is 0.6-2.0kW. Because wind speed increases with height, a typical wind turbine needs to be mounted on a mast or tower. An ideal location is on a smooth-top hill with a flat, clear exposure and free from obstructions such as buildings, woodlands or other large trees that may cause excessive turbulence. Such siting could result in adverse visual impacts and needs to be carefully considered in relation to the context of the site. If considering the installation of a wind turbine, you will need to provide (as a minimum) the following information to Limerick County Council:  Dimensions of the turbine (including rotar blades).  Height above ground or building.  Material type and finish.  Plan showing position on the ground.  Brief technical specifications such as power and noise output (as usually supplied by the manufacturer).

2. Page 42

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   C o u n t y L i m e r i c k : R u r a l D e s i g n A d v i c e f o r I n d i v i d u a l H o u s e s i n t h e C o u n t r y s i d e 38. P L A N N I N G T H E S I T E4. Geothermal Energy Geothermal heat pumps - transfer heat from the ground into a building to provide space heating and, in some cases, to pre-heat domestic hot water. The technology relies on the fact that the earth (beneath the surface) remains at a relatively constant temperature throughout the year, warmer than the air above it during the winter. A typical system can provide 95%-100% of a household’s heating requirements. The ground source heat pump comprises a ground loop (series of pipes buried in the ground either horizontally or vertically), a heat pump, and a distribution system. If considering the installation of a ground heat pump system, you will need to provide (as a minimum) the following information to Limerick County Council:  Existing and proposed ground levels in the vicinity of the system;  The total area of the heat pump;  Plans showing position on the ground;  Brief technical specifications such as power and noise output (as usually supplied by the manufacturer); or  Grounds for exemption (if being claimed). Biomass Energy Biomass energy is obtained from organic materials such as wood (chips or pellets) or natural oils (e.g. from crops such as rapeseed). This can be burned like a conventional fuel but unlike fossil fuels the equivalent amount of CO2 released during burning is reabsorbed by the new crops and forests replanted after harvesting, resulting in a zero-emission rating. Biofuels are currently 50% cheaper than fossil fuels to run. Wood/biomass pellets (highly compressed dried sawdust and bark) from sustainably managed wood sources (e.g. local woodland or specifically grown tree crops) can be burned in modern, computer-controlled boiler plant to provide space and hot water heating. A wood pellet boiler is simple to install, and there is very little adjustment needed to existing plumbing if converting from a conventional system. Wood chips provide heating fuel to commercial buildings and may be suitable for domestic biomass boilers. Check with the supplier of your boiler that it is capable of burning pellets and chip biomass fuel. Take special care that the standard of fuel you use complies with the operating requirements of your boiler. Water Recycling Recent concerns over dwindling reserves of groundwater, increasing costs of domestic water supply, and costly sewage treatment plants has generated renewed interest in the recycling of domestic water. Techniques that need to be considered at the site planning stage for reducing domestic water consumption include: Water butt - a simple, low cost method for collecting rainwater from the roof and storing if for use in the garden (e.g. instead of a mains-water hosepipe for lawns, etc). Rainwater harvesting - provides an efficient and economic means for utilising the rainwater coming from roofs to supply toilets, washing machines and irrigation systems. Greywater recycling - enables slightly polluted water from the bath, shower and washbasin to be reused in the house (e.g. for toilet flushing, in the washing machine, watering the garden or for cleaning purposes). Proprietary systems comprise modular tanks, above or under ground, gravity fed by the greywater. The clarified clean water is direct pressure fed back through the house or to an outside tap for re-use. Generally, LCEA would suggest that grey water recycling is not recommended unless the proper filtration and disinfection system is used. This would normally entail a reed bed filtration with resin filters followed by disinfection (possibly UV). The use of grey water without proper filtration and disinfection can lead to a variety of odour and possible indirect contamination.

3. Page 43

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   C o u n t y L i m e r i c k : R u r a l D e s i g n A d v i c e f o r I n d i v i d u a l H o u s e s i n t h e C o u n t r y s i d e 39. P L A N N I N G T H E S I T E 4. Explore new technologies for achieving contemporary forms improved energy conservation The benefits of water recycling include:  Rainwater harvesting (including some versions of grey-water recycling) displaces a large proportion of the water that would otherwise need to be provided by the mains supply.  Typically a household can expect to save up to 50% of their mains water needs, significantly reducing overall water supply costs.  In more remote areas, rainwater can provide for an off-mains supply, which can be up-graded to fully drinkable standard (potable) by using non-chemical ultra-violet sterilisation.  Rainwater recycling can form part of an attenuation and rainwater management scheme, by reducing storm-water runoff and controlling the flow-rate off site. If considering a rainwater recycling system, you should take into account:  For rainwater collection, the external drainage of the roof needs to be designed to bring the water to a central point.  Access for an underground storage tank and excavation is required.  Internal plumbing should usually separate out the drinking (including bathing) water from the nondrinking water (WC, washing machine, outside tap). Surface Water Drainage All domestic buildings should be provided with a drainage system to remove surface water from the roof, or other surfaces where rainwater might accumulate (such as paved areas). Surface water discharge should be carried out to a point of disposal that will not endanger the building, environment or the heath and safety of people in the vicinity. The preferred method of discharge is the Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS), which comprises -  Filter strips and swales;  Filter drains and permeable surfaces;  Infiltration devices; or  Basins and ponds. SUDS can be designed to fit into most rural settings and a variety of design solutions are available to suit the specific site conditions. If the site cannot drain to an infiltration system, it may be necessary to discharge to a water course. Where this is not feasible, surface water should discharge to the nearest storm-water sewer. The discharge of storm-water from roofed and paved areas to a foul water sewer or onto the public road is not permitted. Specific information is required to support an application for discharging water to a soakaway, water-course or storm-water sewer. If in doubt, contact the Water Services Section of Limerick County Council.

4. Page 44

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   C o u n t y L i m e r i c k : R u r a l D e s i g n A d v i c e f o r I n d i v i d u a l H o u s e s i n t h e C o u n t r y s i d e 40. P L A N N I N G T H E S I T E4. A1 SITE INTEGRATION √ Comment: a. Development strategy demonstrating links to community facilities (educational, social, health) b. Development strategy demonstrating links to commercial facilities (shops, work ) c. Development strategy demonstrating links to transport link(s)/ Mass transit, pedestrian, bicycle etc. d. Development strategy demonstrating links to district energy sources (District heating scheme, combined heat & power) e. Provision of Household / Garden / Sanitary waste management f. Other positive ecological features (please specify) A2 LANDSCAPING & SHELTER √ Comment: a. Use of site contours b. Reduce site exposure via earth beaming, shelter planting, or wind barriers c. Preservation of local flora d. Assessment of site liability to flooding e. Site percolation test conducted A3 LOCAL ENERGY AUTONOMY √ Comment: a. Energy from local sustainable resources (low / carbon neutral) b. Site specific Combined Heat & Power (CHP) c. Site specific district heating system d. Site specific electricity auto generation (from low / carbon neutral resources) e. Other renewable energy sources B1 DESIGN & ORIENTATION √ Comment: a. Minimise surface area for heat loss (in proportion to volume) b. Orientation and internal zoning to facilitate passive solar heat gain c. Orientation to optimise day light d. Thermal mass to facilitate passive solar thermal gains e. Natural ventilation & cooling f. Sunspaces and collector walls / floors g. Design for spatial / functional adaptability h. Design for accessibility B2 BUILDING ELEMENTS √ Comment: a. Building Regulation Compliance:- Demonstrate that the building energy & carbon emissions are in compliance with the current building regulations, Technical Guidance Document (TGD) Part L. The Domestic Energy Assessment Procedure is the primary method of demonstrating compliance. b. Assessment of building fabric material procurement from local resources c. Assessment of material toxicity and CFC – HCFC free d. Potential for material recycling A. Local Sustainable Development Sustainability Checklist B. Building Fabric

5. Page 45

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   C o u n t y L i m e r i c k : R u r a l D e s i g n A d v i c e f o r I n d i v i d u a l H o u s e s i n t h e C o u n t r y s i d e 41. P L A N N I N G T H E S I T E 4. Vehicle access and parking The space around the new building should be considered as an integral part of the site layout, not as an afterthought, and treated in relation to the surrounding environment. In particular, the means of vehicle access and provision for parking should not dominate the site. The driveway should preferably be indirect, gently crossing the natural contours of the site or curving subtly around existing site features, as opposed to taking a harsh straight line from the road. Surface materials should be sympathetic to the rural character of the site (such as gravel with soft edges as opposed to tarmac with pre-cast concrete kerbs). Cars should be accommodated as unobtrusively as possible. Frontage parking should be avoided and instead provided to the side or rear of the house. Where the garage is attached, it should be subservient to the scale of the building. Traditional entranceways Consider vehicle access as an integral part of the site layout Avoid over-dominance of vehicle access Indirect vehicle access 47. 48. 49. 50.

6. Page 46

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   C o u n t y L i m e r i c k : R u r a l D e s i g n A d v i c e f o r I n d i v i d u a l H o u s e s i n t h e C o u n t r y s i d e 42. P L A N N I N G T H E S I T E4. Boundaries Roadside boundaries, including hedgerows, sod and stone banks and stone walls, provide important features of the landscape and ecology of rural areas. The treatment of site boundaries can have a major influence on how well the building sits within the landscape. New road boundaries and entrances in particular may appear intrusive in rural areas if not designed sympathetically, especially where several different frontages are adjacent to one another. Entranceways should therefore be kept to a minimum width and located according to road safety requirements and in relation to views of the house (which should preferably not be direct along the driveway). The removal of existing roadside boundaries should be avoided, even if this requires the relocation of a site for traffic safety reasons. Wherever possible an existing hedgerow, ditch or stonewall should always be retained, and reinforced or repaired as required. Where an existing boundary feature needs to be removed in order to achieve clear forward visibility, this can often be effectively set back to achieve the required visibility splay without diminishing the rural character of the road. New front boundaries should be restricted to a simple range of materials that are already common to the area, including stone, low rendered wall with hedge, hedgerow or ditch/earth bank features. Gateways should also be simple, constructed from timber or metal and defined by restrained piers of stone or painted render. Existing hedgerows are preferable for side boundaries, or simple fencing and new hedge planting. On all boundaries, suburban ranch-type fences of artificial materials, concrete block walls and the regimented use of fast-growing conifers should be avoided. Aim to achieve simple entranceway treatments Avoid over-elaborate entranceways General principles of splay Splay with rendered walls and traditional barred gate Convex with hedges and traditional barred gate Concave with stone wall/hedge and traditional iron gate 3m 4.5m 45° Avoid over-fussy boundary treatments

7. Page 47

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   C o u n t y L i m e r i c k : R u r a l D e s i g n A d v i c e f o r I n d i v i d u a l H o u s e s i n t h e C o u n t r y s i d e 43. P L A N N I N G T H E S I T E 4. Garden Design The open space surrounding the house needs to be designed as an integral part of the site planning process. In a countryside context a naturalistic approach should be adopted to help assimilate the building with its surroundings. Manicured suburban-style gardens often found in rural areas appear alien to their surroundings and do not provide either suitable climatic provision or habitats for wildlife. The purpose of new planting is not to screen or hide new development, but instead to help integration with the surrounding landscape. All existing landscape features should be retained, to provide a structure for the development and a basis for new planting. Trees and shrubs which are locally native will be easier to establish than more exotic species, and will be more in keeping with the character of the area - refer to Appendix 1 for recommended planting types. In exposed sites, more substantial shelter planting of native trees may be required to help reduce the effects of cold winds and driving rain, whilst also increasing privacy and improving the appearance of the landscape by softening building lines. The garden also needs to satisfy a number of practical requirements, such as fuel and refuse storage areas, a compost/recycling area, clothes drying area, and a safe place for children to play. These areas should be considered from the outset and incorporated sensitively into the overall design of the site. Use existing site features to help absorb the building and/ or under-take new planting of mostly native species Avoid large expanses of grass with hard surface up to building line and ranch-style fencing 53. 51. 52.

8. Page 48

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   C o u n t y L i m e r i c k : R u r a l D e s i g n A d v i c e f o r I n d i v i d u a l H o u s e s i n t h e C o u n t r y s i d e 44. P L A N N I N G T H E S I T E4. Main Factors:  Prepare a detailed analysis of your site showing all existing features.  Consider the detailed effects of topography in terms of building form and avoiding excessive cut and fill.  Identify south facing slopes and orientation to benefit from solar gain, and note potential frost and mist hollows, prevailing winds and potential areas of shelter afforded by topography.  Examine the requirements for incorporating renewable energy sources.  Consider the proportion of the house in relation to the size of the plot and scale of any existing buildings in the locality.  Ensure that the building can be positioned to avoid overlooking or loss of light/privacy to neighbouring properties.  Ensure that the site has sufficient depth to be able to locate the building back from the road edge.  Carefully consider the means of vehicle access to the site.  Ensure that sufficient front boundary vegetation can be retained while accommodating vehicle access requirements.  Establish the means for protecting existing trees, hedgerows and banks, and note opportunities for extending existing vegetation patterns into, or around, the site to help absorb or screen the new development into its setting.  Consider appropriate boundary treatments.  Prepare a landscaping plan showing all existing features to be retained and new planting and hard surfaces. Further Details/Information Obtain a detailed survey of the site and its immediate surroundings showing contours; vegetation; boundaries; existing structures; historical or archaeological features; all pipes, septic tanks, wells, percolation areas, etc.; roads, rights of way and access tracks; water courses and wetlands; soil types and land drainage characteristics. The Planning and Development Regulations 2007 make specific provision for renewable energy installations. Site Planning Checklist The following checklist summarises the main Site Planning factors that need to be taken into account when developing an application for a one-off house in the countryside. A Schedule of Documents Checklist for information to be submitted with an application is given in ‘Your Guide to the Planning Process’ - refer Section 6 Designing with the Planning System.

9. Page 49

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   C o u n t y L i m e r i c k : R u r a l D e s i g n A d v i c e f o r I n d i v i d u a l H o u s e s i n t h e C o u n t r y s i d e 45. D E S I G N I N G T H E H O U S E 5. 5. Designing the House Different Approaches Building Form Checklist Building Elements Conservatories, Garages and Extensions Building Conversions

10. Page 50

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    C o u n t y L i m e r i c k : R u r a l D e s i g n A d v i c e f o r I n d i v i d u a l H o u s e s i n t h e C o u n t r y s i d e 46. D E S I G N I N G T H E H O U S E5. Different Approaches A sensitively designed house is a subtle blend of materials, scale, proportions and traditional details, producing a timeless composition of unsophisticated simplicity. Much modern housing betrays a lack of appreciation of the distinctiveness of the traditional County Limerick building style, or attempts to mimic it through inappropriate plan layouts, styles, decorative motifs and unsuitable materials. Houses are often designed in a far too ‘fussy’ and over complicated manner, using imitation detailing and materials under the misconception that such adornment will create an appropriate ‘Olde Worlde’ effect. It is necessary to take a fresh approach that is contemporary while being respectful of the past. In many cases, such designs are selected from pattern books, or else comprise a collection of random design elements chosen from a range of different sources. The result is usually confused building forms that frequently lack visual repose and appear alien to their rural setting - particularly when adjacent properties vie for attention, rather than sitting unobtrusively in the landscape. As described previously in this Design Advice, there are a number of basic principles that need to be considered. One of the most important of these is context, followed by issues such as proportion, form, scale and massing, as considered in the previous section of the Design Advice. This section describes the more detailed elements of house design that need to be considered in order to achieve more appropriate and good-mannered rural buildings. The use of standard house types that take no, or little, account of the context of the site or the traditional style of County Limerick is to be strongly avoided Typical over-complicated house types recently constructed Successful contemporary interpretation of traditional forms 54. 55. 56.

Source Limerick City and County Council: Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses (July 2012) · 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.