Rural Design Guidelines

1. Page 51(read from a scan)

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines A selection of roof dormer conditions a) A half dormer, used where the first floor level is below eaves b) A dormer built up on the wall, also used where first floor level is below eaves c) A full dormer within the roof, usually with light cladding for cheeks and surround d) A half dormer with square profile rather than a gable dormer e) A pair of roof windows. f) A triangular-shaped dormer g) A gable front dormer, where the window is contained within the profile of the gable h) Shows how an atrium may run right into the roof space to give almost full daylight quality inside i) Roof windows at ridge level, useful for lighting landings and stair-wells from above * A great diversity of variation allows for flexible use of dormers. Avoid repetitive dormers used close together, and dormers which are too big relative to the roof 47

2. Page 52(read from a scan)

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines Chimneys Guidelines The robust scale of chimneys in older buildings was functional, as there were usually several flues in the stack. Nowadays there is usually only one flue, leaving three options: * to include ventilation flues, in the stack * to provide a narrow stainless steel stack for a stove, as a new design element * to deliberately scale up the stack to avoid the spindly appearance of a minimum size chimney Thatched cottage with three ridge chimneys serving six rooms Above, conventional stack on ridge in refurbished house Below, concrete 'cowl' as a modern chimney designed to generate draught and impede downdraught Above, farmhouse with two central stacks serving a deep plan. Right, chimney as strong design element 48

3. Page 53(read from a scan)

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines Windows and Doors Windows and doors and their distribution on facades are an indispensable element and their appearance is decisive. Windows, and doors, in a traditional context have a number of characteristics which present a good model for windows today: * They have a vertical emphasis * There is generally a larger dimension between the windows than the window size itself; the wall to window ratio is larger. When it is smaller, the façade looks overglazed and flimsy * Wide, or large windows may be subdivided to re-establish the vertical emphasis Right, Ground and upper floor windows from a nineteenth century farmhouse Left, Family of windows from a nineteenth century house, with subdivided large windows for main rooms Above, Contemporary windows based on the golden section. The shape and depth of the sill, along with the surround of the window opening, make a significant visual impact Left, Typical suitable range of contemporary windows, showing the adaptability of window divisions within differing widths. The horizontal modular dimension here is 800mm Above, successful example of a new house with large glazed areas; dealt with skilfully in terms of proportion and visual impact Right, Georgian window with painted sill and painted reveals 49

4. Page 54(read from a scan)

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines Guidelines for windows and doors * Windows on gables should be limited, otherwise they weaken the apparent stability of the gable; exception to this could be where the gable is not carrying any load from the roof, allowing for a glazed, non-loadbearing cladding * Rooflights offer a modern way to introduce strong light from above * The position of doors affects the balance of the façade. The door is probably most comfortable visually when solid, but the door is often a source of light for the entrance hall and a glazed version may be preferred where a fanlight is not practicable. Simple versions of a door, partially, or completely glazed, are readily available Sunspaces and Porches Energy-efficient dwellings may have sunspaces attached as a means of gathering solar gain, or porches, which act as a mediator between outdoor and indoor temperatures. Their treatment is not well informed by precedent, although conservatories were common in the larger Georgian houses. Specialist manufacturers deal with technical requirements. If they are considered as an integral part of the house, rather than an addition, care is necessary to avoid the tacked-on appearance. Porch and covered portico are combined in an effective entry to this house Above left, gable front just about achieves the right balance between solid and openings. Above right, sketch of a gable bedroom window in a new cottage, from the rear cover of 'Building Sensitively in Ireland's Landscapes', published by Bord Failte in 1986 Above left, entrance porch is an integrated element of design in this old schoolhouse. Above right, gabled porch entry to a traditional farmhouse 50

5. Page 55(read from a scan)

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines Extensions Guidelines Extensions are an opportunity to improve living conditions while keeping the interest and quality of the original * Aim for a compatible, not competing design * Ensure that the connection is well judged * Use a sympathetic scale * The extension may succeed as a visibly different entity, through sensitive interpretation of the existing Above, an old-style approach where the old building is absorbed into the new, which has a different scale and generates a bulky form Below, recent extension to increase living space for small lodge. The form and materials of the stone outbuilding are integrated into the new structure, whilst continuing to retain their individuality Above, cottage and extension maintain the scale and fit in with the landscape Below, the new entrance doorway of the cottage above connects the new extension to the existing buildings 51

6. Page 56(read from a scan)

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines Above, old stone cottage is re-roofed. The new extension is much larger, but keeps the scale, windows and materials compatible to achieve a coherent whole Left, original cottage on right is mirrored in new extension on the left, connected with a glazed link Right, timber cladded extension which is helped in its relationship to the old by the use of the roof form of the original. Timber fencing may be temporary 52

7. Page 57(read from a scan)

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines 3.5 Designing the Frontage, 1 Boundaries and roadway entrance Good entrances can be both beautiful and safe without destroying the hedgerows and boundaries Learning from gateways, entrances and frontages to old and recent buildings: • Frontages traditionally used hedges or stone walls as boundaries to the road. Gateways and formal entrances were introduced with classical houses • Traditional gateways were positioned at the road edge, between substantial gateposts. The more formal entrances subsequently used angled and semicircular walls, creating generosity and enhanced visibility • Entrances afforded a way of breaking in a limited way the continuity of the hedges, and inserting a 'built' element comprised of a lead-in wall, gateposts and gates. This is a model still appropriate for most access situations • Retention of hedges and boundary walls was not an issue then, as the breaks were limited. In some instances the walls or hedges were not the same as those used for field boundaries, and different species such as beech or laurel were introduced as ornamental boundaries • Hedges were generally mixed with a preponderance of whitethorn and holly, as they are stockproof • Modern entrances are not designed according to any code other than the need for setback and sightlines. The result of this can be visually anarchic by the roadside, with each house owner doing an individual version with inevitable conflicts The house, left, is accessed from the farmyard. It has a front garden and low wall overlooking the road. The gated entrance is directly onto the road without any setback. A high wall screens the farmyard giving security and shelter. This entrance to an early Georgian farmhouse served both house and a separate enclosed courtyard. 53

8. Page 58(read from a scan)

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines Designing a suitable frontage Designing a suitable frontage and roadway entrance presents a challenge. Careful design can integrate new with existing. The entrance may be seen as an introduction to the house beyond. There is a continuity of frontage along roads, defining field boundaries with walls and hedgerows. The new entrance should be stitched into existing roadside treatments. Guidelines • Entrances have to meet specific dimensional requirements, as follows: Sight distances need to be provided in both directions from a point 3 metres in from the edge of the surfaced carriageway for 90 metres within the 30mph limit and for 120 metres within 30 to 40mph limits • The DoEHLG Guidelines for Sustainable Rural Housing strongly advocate the retention of existing roadside boundaries – except where required for traffic safety purposes. Removal of extensive roadside boundary would indicate that the site is unsuitable. If partial removal and setback is acceptable, detailed and skilled design of replacement is required • Many examples of visual damage are apparent as a result of removing established hedgerows and banks, and their reinstatement should be considered for existing frontages and required for new ones • There are also many examples where the elements of frontage and entrance are skilfully combined to make beautiful and safe entrances • New entrances should combine the requirement for continuity in the type of boundary with carefully considered linking walls or hedges to gate piers and gate • Splayed entrances allow one car to pull in off the road. It is unnecessary to provide roadside parking. Parking should be provided on the site to the front or rear of the building. √ Typical of the most simple, and effective gateways to a traditional farm courtyard, a deliberate break in the hedgerow with trees (native species might have been better), signalling the entrance to the farm √ Clean break in the trees and white wall identifies the entrance 54

9. Page 59(read from a scan)

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   Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines Three entrances to recently built houses – fencing, then stone, then brick wall broken up with piers. Despite the quality of the stone, the overall impression is unsympathetic to the countryside setting. Mixed hedges in wintertime. Top left, holly and beech Middle, holly and whitethorn Bottom, stone boundary meets mixed whitethorn and holly hedge Bungalows with a parallel lane are screened behind a common hedge, helping to unify visual inconsistency of entrances along the road 55

10. Page 60(read from a scan)

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    Westmeath Rural Design Guidelines 3.5 Designing the Frontage, 2 Other Boundaries and Planting The manner in which the site of a rural house is landscaped and planted will affect the degree to which either it is integrated into the landscape, or becomes obtrusive The retention of hedgerows and trees softens the visual impact of the dwelling on the landscape. Augmentation of hedgerows and planting of additional trees, (particularly in groups) significantly enhances the setting of the dwelling and, when vegetation matures, allows a smooth transition between new and existing elements in the landscape. The replacement of boundary hedges and trees with elaborate walls and fencing leads to uncharacteristic urban features in rural areas and removes valuable hedgerows on which wildlife depends. Along with their wildlife value, hedgerows are an important component of the Co. Westmeath landscape providing attractive scenery and shelter in exposed areas. Hedgerows also function as pollution filters and sound barriers between busy roads and housing developments. It is preferable to maintain the existing site boundaries or at least the species mix of local hedgerows where site boundaries need to be removed and replanted. Native species are generally more beneficial to wildlife than non-native or introduced species since fauna have adapted to live with native plants over time. Thus there is a greater diversity of insects found on native species. These insects in turn provide a food source for birds and mammals. Native plants are more suited to the landscape, more likely to attract wildlife, more disease resistant than introduced species and so more likely to be successful in the garden. Appendix 7 details native species suitable for planting in Co. Westmeath. Exotic shrubs are not recommended for boundary treatments. Non-native shrubs such as Leylandii, (x cupressocyparis leylandii), Lawson Cypresses and Cherry Laurel, (Prunus laurocerasus) appear intrusive in the rural landscape and provide a poor habitat for wildlife. Thus they are usually unsuitable for use as hedging and screening plants in rural locations. Shrubs such as Snowberry and Privet have become common elements of planted hedgerows, but again are less attractive for wildlife than species such as Hawthorn, Blackthorn or Holly. Natural vegetation on an esker ridge 56

Source Westmeath County Council: Rural Design Guidelines · 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.