Rural Housing Design Guide (County Development Plan, volume 3)

1. Page 31

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 3 29 Figure 19: Simple and appropriate approach to finish Windows and Doors Consider the following for windows and doors: • The total area of window and door openings needs to be in proportion to the scale and style of the house. • Gable end and north facing walls will usually benefit from a lower ratio of opening to wall. • Windows should usually line-up over each other - although a carefully considered contemporary design may deviate from this rule. • The size of opening should reflect the function of the room - very small bathroom; cloakroom or landing windows can contribute to the composition of a façade by contrasting with more expansive openings to principal living areas. • Irregularly-sized windows and elaborate bay windows should be avoided. Figure 20: Traditional simplicity and vertical emphasis

2. Page 32

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 3 30 4.6 Single Story Houses Single story dwellings lend their selves to innovative designs which can be highly energy efficiency and respect the local character of the countryside. Consider simplicity in form and passive solar gain as key design influences. 4.7 Dormer Houses The dormer house can provide an alternative to two-story house; however, the design needs to be carefully considered so as to avoid over-complicated roof planes and eaves lines. Traditional eaves dormers are the preferred form, simply detailed to suit the style of the house. Rooflights should be considered to avoid a proliferation of dormers and in preference to mid-roof dormers. Consider roof space for solar panels. 4.8 Two-Story Houses Two story houses should reflect the site size, neighboring houses and the sensitivity of the landscape.

3. Page 33

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 3 31 A narrow rectangular plan is appropriate as it does not result in overly high or shallow pitched roofs, and allows subservient additions and extensions to the main structure. On hilly and undulating sites, the narrow plan form reduces the need for an excavated platform and enables the building to more fully respond to the natural contours of the site.  Excessive use of projecting front elevations  Complex hipped roof patterns  Use of uPVC boxed eaves and barges  Elaborate projecting bay windows  Artificial stonework and unnecessary decoration  Poorly divided windows with horizontal emphasis  Sun room with hipped roof and illproportioned openings  Addition of protruding elements to main elevation (e.g. turrets and double bay windows)  Over-emphasised door  Unnecessary quoinage and lintel detailing  Dominant garage with ’up and over’ door. This combination of features results in a suburban design and finish, and the overall appearance may not be appropriate in rural Tipperary.

4. Page 34

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 3 32 ✓ Uninterrupted ridge lines with consistently pitched roofs ✓ Simple plan with extensions in proportion to the main building ✓ Balanced door and window openings with simple detailing ✓ Simple porch and door detailing. ✓ Conservatory/Sun room of appropriate scale and natural materials. ✓ Well-proportioned arrangement of recessed openings. ✓ Vertical window emphasis with plaster surrounds and sills. 4.9 Houses on Sloping Sites Avoid:  Siting on north-facing slopes  Over-excavation and artificial plateaus  Building form unrelated to sloping context  Boxy floor plan requiring substantial platform  Main elevation facing down the slope (requiring cut + fill)

5. Page 35

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 3 33 Consider: ✓ Minimal excavation by orientating the building with the contours ✓ Linear floor plan that extends across the natural contours, with internal floor levels to suit ✓ Sensitive earth mounding ✓ Narrowest elevation facing down the slope ✓ Use of naturally-occurring shelves or gentlest part of slope 4.10 Large Houses Very large houses can complement and add interest to the countryside where they are located on very large sites with significant landscaping and space to complement them. Very large houses on small sites are not appropriate and therefore you house size should respect your site size. Avoid:  Wide plan building form with shallow hipped roofs  Over-complex plan and roof forms  Wide gable and turret add-ons  Inconsistent window openings Aim for: ✓ Narrow plan form with projections to rear or side ✓ Consistently pitched roofs ✓ Well-balanced window and door openings with vertical emphasis. Figure 21: Large houses are a feature of Tipperary

6. Page 36

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 3 34 4.11 Building Extensions and Garages When planning an extension or garage seek to ensure that the main house is dominant in scale. With larger houses, detached garages may be more suitable, located discreetly to the rear or side of the main building. Extensions and garages should generally be built with similar materials to the existing house 4.12 Conservatories / Sun Rooms Considerations of scale, proportion and spatial layout of the house are all important to ensure that a conservatory is an appropriate addition. Additions to gable ends or rear elevations are usually most appropriate. See below for design suggestions.

7. Page 37

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 3 35 4.13 Renovation of Derelict Dwellings There are numerous disused houses throughout Tipperary, often located on good sized plots with road access and within mature landscape settings. The sympathetic restoration of dwellings which are structurally sound, reasonably intact, safely accessible and capable of being connected to water and other services is encouraged as an alternative to building new houses in the countryside. Planning permission will be required for significant renovation work if the dwelling is listed or if it is proposed to make significant changes that do not come within planning exemptions. Factors to be considered include: • The structure must have been last used as a dwelling house. • Ensure that safe access can be obtained to the dwelling. • Ensure that the site attached to the dwelling is of sufficient size to accommodate a wastewater treatment system/septic tank to the standards of the EPA Guidelines for domestic wastewater treatment systems. • High quality design and finish will be required in Primary Amenity Areas. Step 5: Making a Planning Application 5.1 Considering an Application The Council is committed engaging with planning applicants. Pre-planning meetings with the Planning Officer for the area are facilitated to discuss a planning application before it is submitted. 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. Applicants, and their planning agents, should familiarize themselves with the relevant policies of the Plan, as well as the principles and advice contained in this Manual and other relevant Council documents before they submit a planning application. 5.2 Submitting a Planning Application Applicants should note that guidance notes for completing a Planning Application are obtainable from the Council. Failure to fully meet the requirements may result in an application being rejected as invalid

8. Page 38

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 3 36 or in a request for further information. Applicants should make sure that all required information and documentation is submitted to avoid unnecessary delay in processing the planning application. With applications for one-off houses in the countryside consider the following: On the site layout plan: • Indicate the location, scale and orientation of any adjoining buildings and features in line with the requirements of the Planning and Development Regulations. Contiguous elevations and cross sections may be required. • Ensure that sufficient details are enclosed showing how the house will be serviced by public water supply and how waste water can be safely disposed • The means for achieving safe access must be clearly demonstrated and indicated on the drawings (sightlines). • High quality design and layout in accordance with this Manual. On Plans and Elevations: • Indicate in as much detail as possible proposed building materials for all building elements. • Demonstrate Compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations, including how you aim to enhance ensure that your dwelling will be an NZEB dwelling.

9. Page 39

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 3 37 Appendix 1: Planting and Landscaping Recommended Planting Types The main planting types to be considered when planning a new garden comprise: ➢ Shelter Belts ➢ Hedgerows ➢ Specimen Trees ➢ Shrubs Shelter belt Shelter planting can be used to help the new house integrate more effectively with the surroundings. Such planting should contain a large percentage of small trees (feathered or whips) interspersed with larger trees (clear stem) to provide a more immediate effect 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%

10. Page 40

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    TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 3 38 Hedgerows New hedgerows should consist of a combination of native tree species with under-storey planting of multistemmed shrubs. Shrubs should be planted in a double staggered 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/ecommended species include: ➢ Common Ash Fraxinus exselsior ➢ European Beech Fagus sylvatica ➢ English Oak Quercus robur ➢ Durmast Oak Quercus petraea ➢ Rowan Sorbus aucuparia ➢ Larch Larix deciduas 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: ➢ Whitethorn Crataegus laevigata ➢ Blackthorn Prunus spinosa ➢ Holly Ilex aquifolium ➢ Hazel Corylus avellana ➢ Guelder Rose Vibernum Opulus ➢ Buckthorn Rhamnus frangula ➢ Spindle Euonymus europeaus

Source Tipperary County Council: Rural Housing Design Guide (County Development Plan, volume 3) · 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.