Rural Design Guidelines

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines Key Issues for Landscape Protection In such an area it is relatively easy to locate a building sensitively, in a way which uses natural topography and existing hedgerow and tree planting, complemented by new, appropriate additional screen planting. Such an area can contain two-storey buildings within its landscape, which is sufficiently diverse in its topography and vegetation to minimize the obtrusiveness of new buildings. As in other areas the scale of landscape is likely to be overwhelmed by repetitive plots of houses resulting in domination of the landscape by building. In this kind of situation, ribbon development of repetitive single units should be avoided in favour of clusters in the landscape. 4 Low-lying and Predominantly Flat Pasture Land Character The eastern and southern parts of the County have areas of land, which are predominantly flat. They are mainly pasture lands with some glacial ridges, which help to vary the landscape and create horizons. Screening and shelter is afforded by hedgerow, interspersed with trees, and some substantial groups or boundaries of trees. Strong boundary definition with mature deciduous trees Key Issues for Landscape Protection These zones coincide with some areas of development pressure where the combination of main road corridors and a relatively flat terrain can generate unsightly sporadic development. The problems of visibility in such an area can be mitigated with appropriate screen and shelter planting, by adding to existing vegetation; and taking care with the scale of buildings, as anything higher than average hedgerow height could be obtrusive. Undulating landscape with discreetly sited farm buildings 7

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines 5 Bogland Overgrown cutaway bog with birch trees making the horizon Bogland as pasture Character Whilst much of the countryside in Westmeath is undulating, there are sizeable areas of raised bogs, spread around the County, which are identified in the Development Plan as 'the most important remaining in Europe and probably the most extensive of their type in the world'. The bogs have a gentle topography allowing long distance visibility. Relatively large and open areas have little planted vegetation, although groups of birch and hazel trees may be found. Boglands, by definition, are often badly drained, although they are interspersed with pasture lands. Key Issues for Landscape Protection For a variety of reasons, including visual impact in the landscape, boglands may be unsuitable for development. The long-distance visibility in the bogland areas makes for a significant visual impact where development occurs. Hedgerow and trees may help to minimize the impact. Areas of poor drainage may result in dwellings being raised artificially above the water table, increasing their visibility and detaching them visually from the natural ground level. Cutaway bog and long views over flat bogland 8

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines 6 Royal Canal Corridor Character The Royal Canal is a highly significant landscape heritage item in the County. It is the earliest of the canals built in Ireland with a fascinating collection of canal, locks, harbours, bridges and buildings. For much of its transit through Westmeath it is relatively inaccessible and completely unspoiled by development. However, it may not always be free of pressure from tourism and recreational developments. It should be seen as a landscape corridor, with one area of immediate influence beside the canal, and an outer area of visual influence, which takes in the varying horizons as seen from the canal. Key Issues for Landscape Protection The stretch of the Royal Canal which crosses the County remains largely unspoiled. Perhaps due to its route through sparsely populated countryside, the number of access points at road crossings is relatively small, and little development has occurred. It is all the more important that a corridor of influence is defined, and then protected. The relative vulnerability of the landscape is comparable with those areas already described. However, in this case it is necessary to protect the entire environment of the canal and its landscape. Sensitivity in the location of dwellings and in recreational development within the defined corridor is essential, to maintain the extraordinary illusion of travelling through an undisturbed 18th century landscape. Lock gates and lock keepers cottage along the Royal Canal 9

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines 7 Cultural Landscapes Character Cultural Landscapes are those which incorporate significant archaeological or historic remains, demesne landscapes, and field boundary patterns or cultural associations. The best known cultural landscapes are the Hill of Uisneach and the monastic settlement of Fore. These sites offer the landscape evidence of their significance, which have mythical as well as historical meaning. • The Hill of Uisneach is about 24km West of Mullingar. It was recognized as the centre of Ireland, and was a place of sanctity in pagan times and the scene of a great May Day (Bealtaine) festival. Brian Boru, in 984, occupied the hill as a challenge to the King of Tara, and Queen Maedhbh's army passed close by. On top of the hill is St Patrick's bed, and many more archaeological remains around - refer to the Sites and Monuments Record for Co. Westmeath. • The village and monastic settlement of Fore is a hidden treasure of the Westmeath landscape, about 4km from Castlepollard and occupying a valley of great beauty. The remains of the mediaeval village, in the form of two gateways and the remains of both the early monastery of St Feichin, who died in 664 A.D. and those of the Benedictine priory, founded around 1200 A.D., together with some 14 stone crosses, provide strong visual clues to the former life of the valley. Key Issues for Landscape Protection Each cultural landscape is unique and distinct, and carries a heritage of great significance within its landscape context. They exemplify the type of area where any development must be handled with great restraint and sensitivity, if the atmosphere and memory of their origins is to be preserved. The integrity of the site and setting must be respected. Development may be unsuitable within the visual unit of a cultural landscape. The Benedictine Priory, founded c.1200 A.D., and fortified in the 15th century 10

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines 8 Main Roads Corridors Key Issues for Landscape Protection In several locations in the County the main roads carry an excessive quantity of single houses creating ribbon development, sometimes for long stretches of road. The Development Plan identifies the difficulties of urban sprawl created by expansion along roads radiating out of towns and villages. Adherence to the new national Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines, in both national and non-national road categories will mean that access is restricted on safety grounds, in favour of making shared access to development away from the road. Visual impact, where development is proposed near to main roads, is also an issue. Roadside farmhouse and outbuildings set into the landscape Character Main roads through the County, and within, generate a perception that the rest of the countryside is similar: they are the best-known and remembered stretches of countryside. They attract development for commercial and housing uses, located for the convenience of being close to the main road. Mature trees mark the entrance along the road. Generous dimensions for the gateway allow for good visibility and safe entry, although further access along main road corridors will no longer be facilitated, in favour of access from secondary roads only 11

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines Traditional farm house beside country lane in wooded, undulating landscape. Sketch showing gated entrances and characteristic gable-to-lane siting of the house 12

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines Part 2 Rural Building Forms in the Landscape Learning from the past to inform design today 2.0 Introduction 2.1 Traditional Buildings 2.2 Farm Buildings and Farm Clusters 2.3 Contemporary Buildings 2.4 Making a Roadway Entrance

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   2 Rural Building Forms in the Landscape Learning from the past to inform design today 2.0 Introduction Buildings appear as solid, material elements, contrasting with the natural shapes of the landscape. In reality they are inseparable from the landscape, making up the totality of the countryside with familiar forms, marking several centuries of inhabitation. Buildings are rarely invisible - they earn their place and position in the landscape according to use and tradition. Buildings may have had a defensive or a security function, and usually incorporated the necessary accommodation for animals and agricultural storage as well as habitation. The clustered groupings which form farm settlements represent security and convenience, and incidentally generate a visual coherence in the landscape. The seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth century demesnes and villas introduced the idea of parklands around the house and a designed landscape 'setting', which is now an accepted part of the Irish countryside, and a powerful and pleasing characteristic of Westmeath. The twentieth century with its revolutionary transport developments, commuting patterns and the growth of non-agricultural activities has left a legacy of dispersed houses, mainly modest, but progressively larger and more assertive. Unfortunately this has often been accompanied by a visual unpredictability and individuality at the expense of visual coherence. The challenge for the immediate future is to reassert the continuity of the built form with its locally distinctive character, whilst accommodating the needs of a renewed rural society with changing aspirations which affect the character of building. There are some situations where it seems clear that further development is inappropriate: • Houses are strung along country roads in long ribbons of development forming a type of suburban environment at the expense of rural quality. • Scattered housing makes it difficult to service dwellings with water supply, sewerage connection, refuse collection and transport. • Some scenic areas suffer from excessive development, as a result of their attractiveness for holiday housing, second homes and commuter homes. • Visually strident, gross scale and complex unfamiliar forms, or styles derived from elsewhere may not be capable of being integrated successfully in the particular rural landscape of Westmeath. • There are areas, where any development would be detrimental to the landscape and where special control is essential. Rectory with its winding drive and mature landscape However, there remain many situations where the assessment of suitability depends to a large extent on the quality of the design and placing of buildings in the landscape. The positive possibilities for designing for the future in a sustainable way based on learning from the past are set out in this chapter. The County Council has prepared the 'Rural Housing Study', a study of traditional building design which identifies the distinctiveness and physical characteristics of the Westmeath rural building tradition. 14

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines 2.1 Traditional Buildings of Westmeath These examples are selected from the rich and diverse range of traditional buildings in Westmeath. They offer outstanding examples of traditional architecture in relatively open landscapes. Left, handsome two-storey Georgian house with outbuildings to the rear Right, Georgian-style farmhouse with outbuildings separately formed into an enclosed courtyard Above, an unusual survival of a thatched cottage and farm, diminutive in the landscape and much smaller than its hay barns Left, roadside grouping of a threebay farmhouse with later one bayextension, sympathetically added, with an unusually large barn beside it, and a range of outbuildings, outside the picture Left, modestly-scaled 19th century farmhouse with walled enclosure, incorporating garden, and outbuildings to the right of the house 15

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    2.2 Learning from Traditional Buildings Traditional Farm Clusters • Traditional buildings had simple forms • The dwelling function was usually combined with working requirements • Sheds and outbuildings were unpretentious and incrementally added to main building • Scale of houses was modest with low ceilings and eaves level, often using the roof space for bedrooms • House layout was one room deep, giving long, low frontages with 40-50 degree roof pitch • Thatch generally has been replaced with slate or corrugated iron • Slating flush with eaves and gables - no overhanging eaves and barge boards Simple forms and modest scale create a courtyard combining entrance to the house with farm activities Traditional farmhouse with incrementally added outbuildings Walls and buildings create enclosure and privacy from the road 16

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