4. Other Elements of Planning Report

Schedule of units 

A total of 3 no. housing units are proposed as part of this Part 8 planning application.  The following housing mix will be provided; 

Design Statement

Urban Design / Form

The strategy for the development takes it’s lead from the adjacent context; in tying in with the  existing street elevation on Greenhill Road and as a continuity of the proposed adjacent development of previously approved planning (ref: 18/8001). 

The proposed layout provides for 3 no. two storey terraced dwellings, facing directly onto the Greenhill Road, with a stepback to provide a privacy buffer to the street and a recessed double height porch with a corner window at ground floor level. 

 ​​​​​​

Public realm

The scheme will provide a sense of scale to the street by continuing the existing and proposed building lines provided by adjacent buildings. Design guides for streets, building forms and building material palettes have been taken into account in this proposed development:

− The proposed building form and urban design aims to maximise active street frontages;

− Building materials will reinforce a sense of place and fitness for purpose;

− Privacy strips / boundaries to dwellings will provide an appropriate transition from public to private space. 

Unit design

The design of the individual units will increase the active street frontages to Greenhill Road. All units are provided with own-door access with a sheltered ‘porch’ entrance area. Room sizes and storage space within units are based on Table 5.1 ‘Space provision and room sizes for typical dwellings’ set out in ‘Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities (DoEHLG, 2007). 

Unit Layout

Units 1, 2 & 3 have a narrow unit plan, with single frontage and a front-to-back axis, optimising the available depth of the site while achieving the target living and bedroom minimum widths and areas, setout in the Quality Homes for Sustainable Communities documents, 2007.  

Private Open Space

The following garden areas are provided to each unit:

− Unit 1 – 2 bedroom unit; 32 sq.m; 

− Unit 2 – 2 bedroom unit; 31 sq.m; 

− Unit 3 – 1 bedroom unit; 18 sq.m.

Accessibility   

The proposal aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the public realm and residential dwellings by incorporating the following:

− Design of the public realm and dwelling design will be in accordance with TGD Part M (2010);

− Subject to budgetary constraints, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s 16 ‘Lifetime homes’ criteria will be taken into account in each house design and layout. The ‘lifetime home’ principle should enable the dwelling to adapt to the changing needs of the resident through various life stages;

− The approach to dwelling entrances will be level or gently sloping;

− Main entrances will be accessible providing; level entry, illumination and weather protection;

− Internal corridor widths and minimum clear widths of doorways comply with TGD Part M requirements;

− All units will be provided with an accessible WC at main living room level; 

− Switches and sockets will be located at accessible heights.

Car parking

Parking provision

A total of 3 no. car parking spaces are proposed as part of this development to serve 3 no. dwelling units. The scheme proposes a continuation of the on-street parallel parking.  

With reference to Table 16.1 General Parking Standards of the Limerick City Development Plan 2010-2016; the site is located in Zone 3 Suburban. This equates to a requirement for 7.5 no. car parking spaces to service the proposed units. This is broken down as follows: − 3 no. houses @ 2 per house (6) + 25% visitor (1.5) = 7.5 no. space.

Parking Allowance

The current parking provision of 3 no. spaces falls short of the required number of 7.5. Given the urban siting of the proposed development it is proposed to provide a reduced number of car parking spaces based on the typical car ownership of the future residents, and the nearby availability of services and public transport options. 

Materials and construction

External materials

A palette of high quality robust materials is envisaged including; clay brickwork to street facing elevations, nap rendered elevations to the rear, fibre cement roof slates, timber / aluminium windows, brickwork to low walls and bin stores, galvanised steel gates / railings and aluminium rainwater goods.

Landscaping materials

Quality, durable material will also be selected for external and landscaping finishes. Hard landscaping materials to footpaths, parking areas, raised terraces, and hardstanding to front and rear unit gardens will follow the DMURS guidance provided. 

Construction

Traditional robust construction technology will be employed throughout the project; including concrete block cavity wall construction, concrete ground floors, timber joist floors and timber roof trusses. 

SAC, Protected Structures & Archaeology

Architectural Heritage

Map 7A of the Limerick City Development Plan 2010 - 2016 identifies the following protected structures in the vicinity of the site; LI 21519001, Boru House, a 19^th century house; LI 21522009, LI 21519002, LI 21522010, LI 21522001, LI 21519004, LI 21519003, LI 21518046, Saint Joseph’s Hospital Buildings, a 19^th century hospital building; and LI 21522003, John O’Grady Monument, a freestanding 20^th century monument. The National Monuments Service historic environment viewer identifies no national monuments in the vicinity. 

Services & utilities

Drainage

Details of the proposed water connections, foul and surface water drainage systems are contained in Martin Peters Associates planning report included in this Part 8 planning application. 

Refuse Disposal

Secure lockable bin stores are provided to units 1-3. 

Renewable Technologies

Photovoltaic arrays shall be provided for each residential unit to provide renewable energy in accordance with Part L of the Building Regulations, installed to current ETCI regulations. 

Reference Documents 

Limerick City Development Plan 2010 – 2016.

Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (Dept. of Transport, Tourism & Sport 2013).

Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities (DHPLG 2007).

Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (DHPLG 2009).