Design guide · Limerick City and County Council
Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses
The council's guidance on siting and designing a house in the countryside.
Limerick City and County Council · July 2012 · 76 pages
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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 57. D E S I G N I N G T H E H O U S E 5. Conservatories and Sun Rooms Conservatories or sun rooms can form attractive additions to the house if well-located, as well as a means for achieving solar gain. Artificial materials (e.g. UPVc) should be avoided. Generally painted timber is preferred, finished in muted tones such as grey-green. Whites and bright colours can be over-conspicuous, detracting from the appearance of the house. Considerations of scale, proportion and spatial layout of the house are all important to ensure that a conservatory is an appropriate addition. They should not be added to front elevations, or appear too suburban or elaborate in style. Additions to gable ends or rear elevations are usually most appropriate. Simple, to rear Simple, gable end Over-elaborate Front elevation Flat roof Appropriate building extensions Inappropriate building extension
- 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 58. D E S I G N I N G T H E H O U S E5. Building Conversions General The adaptation and reuse of existing buildings is an important principle of sustainable development. The conversion of traditional rural buildings into contemporary living spaces can not only bring buildings back to life but may also provide opportunities to sensitively conserve the built heritage and maintain the character and distinctiveness of the area. There are numerous deserted buildings throughout County Limerick, often located on good sized sites with road access and within mature landscape settings. The sympathetic restoration of buildings which are structurally sound, reasonably intact, safely accessible and capable of being connected to water and other services should be viewed as an important alternative to building new houses in the countryside. Former farm buildings and their outbuildings can create very special and attractive properties, but it is very important that the conversion should respect and retain the essential character of the original structure. Potential buildings for conversion 75. 76. 77.
- 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 59. D E S I G N I N G T H E H O U S E 5. Sensitively converted buildings Design Principles The approach to conversion should be simple and uncluttered, with no attempt to over-domesticate or suburbanise the building or its setting. The original idiosyncrasies of the building should be conserved and enhanced. The original building height and eaves lines must be fully respected. A traditional two-storey building should not be converted by raising the roof structure, which would completely change its character and appearance. The internal room layout should be arranged so that the original structure, openings and features can be retained, or adapted with as few external changes as possible. Roofs are particularly important features of traditional buildings and should not be ‘over-restored’. The existing structure should be retained wherever possible, and the expanse of roof left uncluttered. The addition of an external chimney stack is almost always unsuitable. The addition of dormers are usually too domestic in character and should be avoided. Where required, flush fitting rooflights are more suitable for buildings with low eaves, provided that they are narrow and not too large or numerous. Roofing materials should be slate, laid to the original pattern (usually graduated with large slates at the eaves diminishing in size towards the ridge). All existing materials should be salvaged and re-used. Only good quality natural materials should be added, and wherever possible of local origin. Where new stonework is required, the size, coursing, joint width and pointing should match the original as closely as possible. New pointing or re-pointing should be carried out using a lime-rich mortar with flush finished joints. Window and door openings should be retained unaltered whenever possible. If new openings are necessary they should be vertically proportioned. Doors and windows should be recessed to create strong shadow lines and to give good weather protection. Most new window and door joinery will need to be purpose-made (original doors and windows may be repaired or their pattern reused or adapted for new joinery). 78. 79. 80. 81.
- 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 60. D E S I G N I N G T H E H O U S E5. Extensions to traditional buildings will not normally be acceptable where it would undermine the intrinsic character of the building. Where extensions are considered suitable, they should be subservient to the original structure, of similar proportions and of the same materials and detailing. Extensions of high quality contemporary design can help to enhance an older building subject to advice from a suitably qualified architect. Garages and workshops should preferably be provided within existing buildings on the site, by sensitively converting associated sheds and outbuildings. If suitable buildings are not available, the introduction of any new garage or workshop should be of materials that match or complement the main building to be converted. Any new structures should be carefully sited so as not to detract from the setting of the main building. Attractive useable spaces between buildings should be created, using traditional elements such as walls and hedges to define them. The design of the external areas is of equal importance to the conversion of the building. Protected Structures When considering any building for potential conversion it is essential to view the Record of Protected Structures applicable to the area and to have early discussions with the local planning authority. In most cases, the services of an architect specialising in historic buildings will be required to develop and oversee the proposals. If an application involves altering a Protected Structure or a building in an Area of Architectural Conservation, a detailed measured survey of the existing plans and elevations will be required. In such circumstances, details such as the shape and material of guttering or glazing bars can be important features of historic properties that need careful recording. The interior structure and fittings of a Protected Structure, such as fire surrounds or ceiling plaster work, and the setting (e.g. garden, walls, gates), are also protected by the listing. It will be necessary to obtain planning permission and/or a Section 57 declaration to carry out any work on a Protected Structure. Before and after views of an award-winning conversion 82.
- 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 61. D E S I G N I N G W I T H T H E P L A N N I N G S Y S T E M 6. 6. Considering an Application Submitting an Application Planning Application Drawings Designing with the Planning System
- 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 62. D E S I G N I N G W I T H T H E P L A N N I N G S Y S T E M6. Considering an Application The local planning authority is committed to securing high quality design in the County and the need to engage effectively with applicants. The Council has a duty to communicate to applicants the particular issues that need to be considered before making an application, and to explain to them what is required. Pre-planning meetings are therefore encouraged. Likewise applicants will be expected to demonstrate from the outset that careful consideration has been given to the location, siting and design of new housing in the countryside. In most cases the assistance of skilled architects and designers should be sought for preparing the application, especially for sensitive locations. This will not only help achieve good quality design, but may also speed-up the planning process. Applicants, and their agents, should familiarise themselves with the relevant policies of the County Development Plan, as well as the principles and advice contained in this Design Advice and other relevant Council documents. Submitting an Application Guidance notes regarding the scale, level of detail and drawings necessary for applying for Planning Permission are obtainable from the County Council - a typical example of a comprehensive application for a one-off house in the countryside is shown on the following pages. ‘Your Guide to the Planning Process’ (Limerick County Council Planning Department) contains some general information about applying for planning permission, gives help to complete the application form and sets out clearly all of the information which should be submitted with the application. If careful attention is paid to the information in the guide, you will greatly assist the Council in considering your application and will save time in having a decision reached. However, there are some problems and omissions that commonly occur: Lack of sufficient level of information. Indicate existing and proposed site levels, and finished floor levels for all new houses. Many sites in the County are sloping and must be designed accordingly. Indicate in as much detail as possible proposed building materials for all building elements - including their colour and texture, and if possible their manufacturer/supplier. Remember to consider the scale and orientation of any adjoining buildings. Contiguous elevations and cross sections may be especially important in assessing the interrelationship of new house types, and may be required as part of the application for certain schemes; Consider the spaces between buildings, their landscaping, planting and materials at the earliest stage in the design. A qualified Landscape Architect will have special expertise in these matters and should be involved in scheme design wherever possible, especially for sensitive or conspicuous sites. Submit a design statement with the planning application—see appendix 3. In most cases, preparation of the planning application will require the services of an architect or agent at some point in the planning process. It is recommended that a qualified architect is employed where a house is large or in a sensitive location. An ‘agent’ can act on your behalf in terms of planning advice, particularly for smaller developments such as one-off houses, as well as preparing the drawings necessary for the application to be considered by the planning authority. Instead, it is possible to have someone prepare the plans/drawings for you to submit with the application. In either instance, it is essential that whoever prepares the application is familiar with this Design Advice as well as other specific requirements of the Council such as siting, traffic safety, public health, design standards, etc. as contained in the current County Development Plan.
- 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 63. D E S I G N I N G W I T H T H E P L A N N I N G S Y S T E M 6. Comprehensive Planning Application Drawings (Courtesy of Alan David Ryan) Detailed Site Layout Plan Detailed Floor and Roof Plans
- 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 64. D E S I G N I N G W I T H T H E P L A N N I N G S Y S T E M6. Detailed Elevations and Sections Detailed Elevations and Sections
- 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 65. D E S I G N I N G W I T H T H E P L A N N I N G S Y S T E M 6. Detailed Sections Contiguous Elevation
- 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 66. D E S I G N I N G W I T H T H E P L A N N I N G S Y S T E M6.
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