Landscape

Main Aim

Nestle into the landscape

How To Achieve

Site the house in the natural lie of the land. Avoid dominating the skyline or the waterline.

Orientation – Roads

Main Aim

Assess proximity and relationship to the road

How To Achieve

Build close to the road if this has been established as the traditional pattern.
Build either parallel or perpendicular to the road following the established pattern.

Buildings

Main Aim

Look at the orientation of surrounding buildings

How To Achieve

Follow the established building lines look at the direction the front door and main elevation face on existing houses.

Climate

Main Aim

Maximise sunshine and minimise wind

How To Achieve

Following the traditional lines for the positioning of your house in relationship to roads and buildings will often maximise solar gain and minimise wind-chill. If you wish to build on a more isolated site, you will need to orientate the house in response to the climate.

Slope

This refers to the ground levels

Main Aim

Use sloping sites to create a difference in level for the house

How To Achieve

Avoid mounding your site i.e. creating an over engineered platform. Balance cutting into and filling the site, if groundworks are essential. Avoid any excessive or uneven block underbuild.

Size

The size of your house in relation to your site

Main Aim

Ensure your house fits well within your plot

How To Achieve

Ensure your house does not dominate the plot, leaving no space around it. Sufficient open garden space should be considered as an integral part of your development. Carefully consider the siting and design of garages and outbuildings so as not to be as prominent as the house.

Shape
The form and shape of the houses footprint

Main Aim

Create the right shape and proportions

How To Achieve

Break up the mass of your house to create the right footprint.

Access

Main Aim

Create an access from existing entrance points

How To Achieve

Consider using an access that already exists. Ensure safe and sufficient access is provided to the development.

Parking

Main Aim

Ensure safe and low profile parking

How To Achieve

Lower the visual impact of car parking by allowing for it to be positioned at the rear of the house. Avoid hard surfaces dominating the plot.

Roof

Main Aim

Use strong plain roof pitches

How To Achieve

Use a pitch of 40-45 degrees, where possible, with a simple layout. Opt for dual pitch roofs with gables. Try to have all the pitches in the roof structures the same pitch. Generally avoid mono pitch, mansard and complex roof structures. Only use a hipped roof if it works with the proportions of the house.

Windows

Main Aim

Keep windows vertical

How To Achieve

Ensure that windows generally have a vertical emphasis and a simple design. Consider using dormer windows that are of the same style, proportion and roof pitch as the main house design. Ensure that window proportions are consistent throughout the house. Have a definite lintel so that windows are clear of the eaves.

Materials

Main Aim

Use natural materials

How To Achieve

Allow for finishes, like natural stone, wet dash render and slate. Timber, artificial slates, profile sheeting or turf roofs are alternatives. Try to use sustainable building materials.

Ornamentation

Main Aim

Avoid excess decoration and embellishments

How To Achieve

Avoid complex porch designs; set out or slender chimney stacks; feature panels; quoins and arches.

Boundaries

Main Aim

Ensure sensitive and in-keeping

How To Achieve

Avoid high fences or concrete block walls where a simpler approach would work better.