Design guide · Monaghan County Council
Monaghan Design Guide
The council's guidance on siting and designing a house in the countryside.
Monaghan County Council · 2008 · 105 pages
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- 21 FARMED FOOTHILLS KEY CHARACTERISTICS Rising ground comprising rolling hills, and occasional drumlins Localised valleys featuring streams Mid to long ranging views towards higher upland pastures and/or moorland A patchwork of predominantly small sized well drained fields defined typically by hedgerows containing native species and used for pasture and small scale forestry Patches of heath (Calluna spp) and gorse (Ulex spp) Tracts of peat and/or bog and Isolated farm and residential properties IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT Settlements are very small and farm buildings tend to be old. In some places they are derelict. Characteristic corrugated tin green roofs have aided visual integration. By contrast more recent farm buildings have had a far greater visual impact. A proliferation of single dwellings in remote areas has also impacted upon the landscape quality. FARMED LOUGHLANDS KEY CHARACTERISTICS The lakeland corridor between Lough Muckno and the County boundary at Cootehill is essentially a low lying farmed landscape containing large loughs punctuated by prominent drumlins. This low lying landscape is enclosed physically and visually by upland drumlin farmlands located to the north and south of the area. The lakeland area further south is associated with a more elevated open landscape setting The land cover is predominantly pasture, although there are tracts of forestry and woodland around the loughs to the south and to the west of the vicinity of Drumlona Lough and Inner Lough Crannogs are common features in the lakes and Regional and minor roads are located in the Lakeland area, connecting Ballybay and Castleblayney, both principal and County towns. The lakeland further south also contains major and minor roads but no towns or villages are present IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT Farm buildings are few in number and are well concealed by the variable topography and discreet shelterbelts.
- 22 The expansion of Ballybay and Castleblayney has resulted in increased residential development. If these are not sensitively sited and well designed they may compromise landscape character. FLAT RIVERINE FARMLAND KEY CHARACTERISTICS A flat, and gently undulating landscape associated with the flood plains of the River Fane to the east and the River Finn to the west Pastoral landuses combined with frequent areas of marshy ground Minor roads and settlements. These are few in number and very small IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT Farm buildings are more visible in this open landscape and a significant number are in a state of disrepair. Single rural homes are located in remote locations, some of which are poorly sited and designed. Further development, if unchecked, may compromise the character of the landscape. RIVER VALLEY FARMLAND KEY CHARACTERISTICS Flat to undulating pastoral landscape Rivers Finn, Blackwater and Cor are principal landscape elements The landscape is permeated by minor roads, with few settlements Winding minor roads edged with earthen banks affording restricted views IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT There appears to be an aggregation of existing clusters of housing, resulting in development which is out of scale and/or character in this context. The pressure for housing is particularly intense in these areas as land is generally flat. Further development of roads may threaten the low lying wetland and riverine habitats.
- 23 UNDULATING FARMLAND KEY CHARACTERISTICS A patchwork of predominantly medium sized fields defined typically by native species hedgerows and used for pasture The town of Clones represents a significant urban settlement located in an elevated or hilly position Numerous ring and fairy forts identified by wooded crests to prominent hills to the west of Inniskeen Isolated farm and residential properties IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT Single rural homes are located in remote locations, some of which have been insensitively sited and designed. Further development may compromise the character of the landscape. UPLAND BOG WITH AFFORESTATION KEY CHARACTERISTICS Large tracts of commercial coniferous forestry dominate this landscape type Poor quality pastoral farmland with wetland grasses present. Fields bounded by hedge rows Pockets of peatland habitat present in between large areas of coniferous forest Presence of small rivers including the Mountain Water River and occasional loughs Minor roads and infrequent dwellings Elevated, open hills and, moorland landscape with extensive long range views across the wider landscape IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT Settlements are scarce within this character type and individual dwellings are spread sparsely reinforcing the remote character. UPLAND DRUMLIN FARMLAND KEY CHARACTERISTICS Elevated, rolling hills and drumlins with extensive long range views across the wider landscape Poor to moderate quality pastoral farmland with wetland grasses. Fields bounded by hedgerows and fences Small tracts of commercial coniferous forestry Pockets of peatland habitat and scrub present throughout pasture Proliferation of minor roads and individual farms and dwellings IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT Farms and individual properties are generally spread out and visual impact has been minimised by topography and small shelterbelts that provide screening.
- 24 UPLAND FARMLAND WITH AFFORESTATION KEY CHARACTERISTICS Well elevated and steep rising ground up to Mullyash and gently rolling hills surrounding the summit, with a predominantly pastoral landuse Large tracts of commercial use forestry at the summit of Mullyash Mountain Occasional long range views east to the Mourne Mountains and wide ranging views westwards IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT In terms of development patterns, this landscape is relatively remote, containing few dwellings and farmsteads, some of which lie derelict. Access is by minor roads only. UPLAND FARMLAND WITH ROCK OUTCROPS KEY CHARACTERISTICS Rising ground comprising undulating to rolling pastoral farmland of variable quality and condition Irregular ridges with outcrops of rock on or near to summits More elevated areas have smaller scale field pattern, sometimes this pattern is broken Fields bounded by hedgerows at lower elevations and by dry stone walls at higher elevations Occasional loughs Occasional tracts of commercial coniferous forestry Medium to long range views in relatively open landscape Remote few dwellings and or farm buildings Access is by minor roads only IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT In terms of settlement pattern, this landscape is remote containing few dwellings or farm groups.
- 25 UPLAND PLATEAU KEY CHARACTERISTICS A flat to slightly undulating elevated landscape Pastoral landuses represented as a series of fields bounded by hedgerows Clumps of deciduous scrub woodland Pockets of peatland and marsh Occasional small loughs Access is by minor roads Generally an open or exposed landscape with medium to long range views IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT Settlement patterns are limited to isolated farmsteads and individual houses served by a network of minor roads and tracks. The N2 bisects the area in a north west to south east direction, linking Monaghan to Castleblayney. The continuing decline in farming is evident from the presence of abandoned and derelict buildings which in turn affect the character of the landscape.
- 26 BUILDING TYPES County Monaghan has a rich diversity in the size and scale of its historic domestic buildings (pre mid 20th century). The vast majority of these sit very comfortably into their surrounding rural landscape. They fall into the following main groups: 2.3 building TYPOLOGY THE “BIG HOUSE” The “Big Houses” of The Ulster Plantation or The Ascendancy usually dominate a very large estate of many hundreds of acres. Other much smaller domestic buildings within the estate are usually remote from the ‘Big House’ and never compete with it visually. These houses have their roots in the architectural tradition of the European Renaissance though some built later are Victorian in their architectural expression. THE SMALLER CLASSICAL HOUSE The familiar “cube” form with its Georgian sash windows dates from the 17th century to our own time. Historically, the smaller versions were built by landlords for key workers, by the church as Glebe Houses or rectories. These were followed by socially aspiring farmers. Many have supporting outbuildings (barns, stables etc) around a courtyard. Common in most parts of the country and using similar materials to the modest farmhouse they are as much part of the vernacular as the traditional thatched cottage. VICTORIAN HOUSES The one-off houses built during the Victorian era were generally close to towns and were often quite imposing. MCC TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE VICTORIAN HOUSE IMAGE
- 27 THE VERNACULAR COTTAGE The simplest house type of all was the two or three roomed single storey cottage that either sat within a farmyard or by the side of the road. Built in rubble stone with primitive roof trusses and originally thatched in straw or flax these are vernacular but have a natural ‘classic’ balance in their proportions and the relationship of thick walls to small windows. FARMHOUSE GROUPINGS As the small cottage grew to accommodate a more prosperous farm household they picked up local influences from the Classical tradition such as more formality in the arrangement of outbuildings around the house and yard. Often forecourts occurred in front of the front door. 1970S BUNGALOW A modest improvement in economic standards combined with money from America or England allowed people to escape the cramped and damp conditions of the vernacular cottages and farmhouses. The bungalow with its large picture windows set back behind a series of dramatic arches became de-rigeur. Although largely built in similar materials to their predecessors (painted plaster and slate roofs) these houses showed a marked departure in that they lacked the natural “classical” balance and pleasing proportions of their predecessors. They failed to enhance the landscape.
- 28 MODERN DWELLINGS Recently, extremely large houses (some as much as 6,000 square feet) have been emerging in the Co Monaghan countryside. This house type falls somewhere between the grandest 18th century “Big House” and the more modest Glebe Houses but that is where the resemblance ends. LEARNING LESSONS FROM THE PAST Almost without exception all of the houses built before the mid 20th century achieve a visually harmonious relationship with the surrounding landscape. This was achieved by close scrutiny of the context of the area, the characteristics and capacity of the site and the formation of a building appropriate to its landscape. IMPACT OF HOUSES BUILT SINCE MID 20TH CENTURY Usually poorly proportioned both in terms of overall form and in detail (windows, doors, porches etc) these houses are a collection of conflicting architectural styles. They lack the architectural quality and stately presence of their 18th and 19th century predecessors. Their details may imitate past architectural styles but on close inspection have none of their refinement and craftsmanship. x
- 29 SIZE This guide does not seek to prohibit large houses in the countryside. Past examples demonstrate that it is possible to locate large houses in the countryside without visual detriment when these are well designed and sited. However when houses are extremely large, poorly designed, badly sited, and built in a cacophony of materials that depart significantly from the Co Monaghan vernacular they have a major negative impact. The creeping loss of distinctive character that began in the 1970s will continue unless clarity in terms of appropriate design is established. This will maintain a key objective of sustainable development ie: protection of the aesthetic quality of our most valuable and non-renewable assets. UNSIGHTLY RIBBON DEVELOPMENT DETRACTS FROM THE RURAL CHARACTER x
- 30 2.4 settlement PATTERNS SETTLEMENT PATTERNS Historical Ordnance Survey maps provide evidence of traditional patterns of settlement in the Co. Monaghan countryside. Often strong characteristics can be identified. The following illustrations show examples of four strong settlement patterns evident in the county. FARM HOUSE AND OUTBUILDINGS CLUSTER ON LANEWAY Usually in single ownership and accessed via a long narrow lane Linear house and irregular grouping of linear farm sheds Usually remote from the next farm grouping FARM HOUSE AND OUTBUILDINGS CLUSTER FRONTING COUNTY ROAD Often U or L shaped grouping of a linear house fronting onto a forecourt that is open to the County Road. The house is sometimes at an angle to the road. Irregular grouping of linear farm sheds. Single ownership. Sometimes isolated but also with neighbouring cluster close by - often a short distance away on the other side of road and/or up a lane.
Source Monaghan County Council: Monaghan Design Guide (2008) · 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.