Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses

1. Page 71

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   1. Recommended Planting Types 2. Building Regulations 3. Design Statement Appendix

2. Page 72

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   Recommended Planting Types Rural gardens should aim to be natural in appearance and in harmony with the landscape character of the site location. Suburban garden styles should be avoided. In the majority of cases, planting should be of native species - these not only respect and reinforce the character of the landscape but also support wildlife and help to meet bio-diversity targets. The main planting types to be considered when planning a new garden comprise:  Woodlands/Shelter Belts  Hedgerows  Specimen Trees  Shrubs Woodland Planting Woodland planting can be used to create naturalistic screening of particular views or to help the new house integrate more effectively with the surroundings. Typically woodland (or Shelter Belt) planting should contain a large percentage of small trees (feathered or whips) interspersed with larger trees (clear stem) to provide a more immediate effect - e.g. : 80% feathered/whips (60-90cm height) planted at 1.2m centres 20% Standard Trees (6-8cm girth, 10-12cm girth, 14- 16cm girth, and 16-18cm girth) Typical recommended species/mix : Common Ash Fraxinus exselsior 20% European Beech Fagus sylvatica 20% Alder Alnus glutinosa 15% English Oak Quercus robur 5% Durmast Oak Quercus petraea 5% Rowan Sorbus aucuparia 15% Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna 10% Larch Larix decidua 5% Scot’s Pine Pinus sylvestris 5% Typically plants are available from the nursery in the following forms: Feathered Shrubs Multi-Stem Conifer Standard 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 A P P E N D I X A P P E N D I X1.

3. Page 73

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   Hedgerows New hedgerows should consist of a combination of native tree species with under-storey planting of multstemmed shrubs. Shrubs should be planted in a doublestaggered row, around 0.9m apart (2-3 plants/sq.m.), with trees (species as per Woodland) randomly interspersed.Shrubs should comprise bare-root whips (min. 60-90cm height). Typical recommended species/mix: Whitethorn Crataegus laevigata 10% Blackthorn Prunus spinosa 60% Holly Ilex aquifolium 5% Hazel Corylus avellana 10% Guelder Rose Vibernum Opulus 5% Spindle Euonymus europeaus 5% Dog Rose Rosa rugosa 5% Specimen Trees Trees planted singly or in small groups (3-5) should be of a large size, Advanced Heavy Standard Trees (16 – 18cm girth), to make an immediate impression . Typical recommended species include: Common Ash Fraxinus exselsior European Beech Fagus sylvatica English Oak Quercus robur Durmast Oak Quercus petraea Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Larch Larix decidua Shrubs Shrub species can be planted in bold groups to the edges of Woodland/Shelter Belts to provide added interest and a lower layer of vegetation. They should be planted as bare-root whips (min. 60-90cm girth) or in 2-5 litre containers, at around 2 plants/sq.m. Typical recommended species include: Whitethorn Crataegus laevigata Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Holly Ilex aquifolium Hazel Corylus avellana Guelder Rose Vibernum Opulus Buckthorn Rhamnus frangula Spindle Euonymus europeaus Dog Rose Rosa rugosa All trees and bare rooted shrubs should be planted from early November up to the end of March. Alder European Beech Ash Rowan Scots Pine Larch Hawthorn Common Native Trees Hazel Spindle Dog Rose Blackthorn Cornus Guelder Rose Ivy HollyBlackthorn C. ‘Sibirica’ Beech (hedge) Common Native Shrubs 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 A P P E N D I X A P P E N D I X 1.1.

4. Page 74

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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 A P P E N D I X A P P E N D I X 2. Building Regulations The Building Control Act 1990 establishes a statutory duty to design and construct in accordance with the building regulations. Every building to which the Building Regulations apply should be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of such regulations, and the responsibility for compliance rests with the designers, the constructor and the building owners. The Building Regulations 1997—2011 set out the technical requirements for the design and construction of building works. The Regulations are divided into 12 parts, and for private dwelling houses, the most common areas to be addressed as follows: Part Description Requirements A Structure This requires buildings to be designed and constructed so as to ensure that they can withstand the combined loads without impairing the stability of any part of the building. B Fire Safety Mains powered Fire Detection and alarm system, window sizes for escape or rescue. Adequate Fire Resistance. C Site preparation and Resistance to Moisture Site preparation, drainage, dangerous substances (e.g. Radon), resistance to weather and ground moisture. D Materials and Workmanship Fitness of Materials and Adequacy of Workmanship E Sound Resistance of noise pollution from one dwelling to another. F Ventilation Ventilation of rooms of specific floor area and condensation in roofs. G Hygiene Installation of adequate washing and toilet facilities. H Drainage and Waste Water Disposal Installation of adequate wastewater drainage and septic tanks. J Heat Producing Appliances Appliances designed to burn solid fuel, oil or gas. Adequate design and installation of Air Supplies, Exhaust Gases, protection of the Building and Oil Storage Tanks K Stairways, Ladders, Ramps and Guards Safe and Adequate Design of stairs and protection from Falls. L Conservation of Fuel and Energy Limiting heat loss, maximize heat gains and controlling output. M Access for people with disabilities Approach to, access into and circulation within a dwelling, access to electrical switches etc. Also the provision of Sanitary accommodation. This information is a guideline only, and not a detailed review of the Building Regulations. Applicants should seek professional advice for their own specific situations and should consult the current technical guidance documents and current regulations. In accordance with the Building Control Regulations 1997, a Commencement Notice must be submitted to the Building Control Section of Limerick County Council, County Hall, Dooradoyle, Limerick, 14-28 days before the commencement of works. All queries on Building Control issues and Building Regulations can be directed to the Building Control Section of Limerick County Council at (061) 496 000.

5. Page 75

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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 A P P E N D I X A P P E N D I X 3. DESIGN STATEMENT 1.0 Introduction 1.1 In accordance with Section 10.4 of the Limerick County Development Plan 2010-2016, the Planning Authority will require all planning applications for 5 or more dwellings or a single rural house or commercial / industrial developments over 1,000 sq. metres to include a ‘Design Statement’. 1.2 A ‘Design Statement’ is a short document which enables the applicant to explain why a particular design solution is considered the most suitable for a particular site. 1.3 A Design Statement should be prepared at the early stage of the design process. The design statement should address urban design, landscape and building design issues and clearly explain the development process, design options considered and the adopted development strategy. The Design Statement should take the form of a concise illustration or series of illustrations, photographs of the site and surroundings and a written statement, however, it is not intended to duplicate planning application documents. This material may form the basis of meaningful pre-application discussions with the Planning Authority. Statements should evolve throughout the design process. Reference and cognisance to the 12 criteria outlined in the DEHLG ‘Urban Design Manual’ 2009 and the guidance contained in ‘Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas’ 2009 documents shall also be made for relevant developments. The level of detail will depend on the scale and sensitivity of the development. 1.4 A Design Statement should outline:  The policy background, identifying all relevant policies, design guides, standards and regulations and in the case of developments in areas with local area plans shall show compliance with the relevant urban design and architectural principles and guidance;  The urban / rural design and architectural context including a site and area appraisal (illustrated with diagrams / photographs), summaries of relevant studies and reports of any relevant consultations;  The development strategy for the site including design principles which have been formulated in response to the policy background, the site and its settings and the purpose of the development.  In the case of urban developments an explanation of the urban structure, including approach to movement and accessibility, landscape, development blocks, land uses, density, urban grain, visual context and built form;  A programme of meetings with the local authority and other bodies; if appropriate.

6. Page 76

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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 A P P E N D I X A P P E N D I X 3a. Design Statement for single rural dwelling All planning applications should be accompanied by a detailed Design Statement outlining the rationale of the proposed design. The design statement for a single rural dwelling should address the following: 3.1 Site Selection:  Site location characteristics, including the wider landscape character and the more immediate landscape and other designations such as Natural Heritage Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.  Use of sites existing natural qualities / features  Existing development pattern  Roads and Infrastructure  Site orientation. 3.2 Layout:  Site context  Design principles considered  Scale, building line and set-back  Building form and proportion  Topography  Building orientation  Vehicle parking & access  Boundaries / landscaping. 3.3 House Design:  Building form  Universal Access (access for mobility impaired)  Building elements - Materials and colours - Roofs and chimneys - Dormers and roof lights - Doors, porches and windows - Conservatories, garages and other extensions.  Details of how the proposal will optimize natural light in building design, location and orientation  Where a sun room/ conservatory is incorporated, is it designed so that it respects the proportions and materials of the house and is appropriately orientated and energy efficient?  Indicate any re-use / renovation of existing buildings  Details of other sustainable design approaches/renewable energy technologies

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.