Do all houses in Meath have to look the same?

[penny]

I am in the process of buying a site near Navan and my plan is to design and build a house. I am just wondering would I not be granted planning permission if I went for a design that is a bit different? Every house looks the same in the area and I wonder is it because people just pick plans out of a book or is it (as i have heard) that the Meath authority are so conservative and will reject anything interesting architecturally.
thank you.
penny

[hutton]

Hmmm...for the 2nd time in 2 days another new member sticks up a thread about building a one-off in the countryside....Somebody´s trolling;)

[penny]

Hutton,
Explain to me, in your own view exactly what is wrong with "one-off" housing in the country? excuse my ignorance.Is it that you want everyone to live in towns/villages? or just you think they are ugly? I haven't formed an opinion yet.
penny

[ctesiphon]

Penny-
Before this thread turns into another bloodbath, might I suggest you do a search for 'one off house' on the site? There are many threads already that deal with the subject in more detail than you could ever want. Some of the old wounds are only now starting to heal. It would be a shame to reopen them unnecessarily.
In essence, this is a very divisive subject on archeire/archiseek, as you'll see when you roll up your sleeves and get to grips with the other threads.

Just to warn you- you might be stepping unwittingly into the lion's den. Best of luck.

[hutton]

Hutton,
Explain to me, in your own view exactly what is wrong with "one-off" housing in the country? excuse my ignorance.Is it that you want everyone to live in towns/villages? or just you think they are ugly? I haven't formed an opinion yet.
penny

Hmmm Welcome to the Lions Den!

First off, I dont think either of the polarised ends of this debate are particularly helpful. However, basically it is preferable if those working in an urban area live in an urban area. If someone is working in the countryside, then its another thing. However the worst scenario is when somebody builds their own "dream home"/ AKA Mc Mansion, and then drives to work in the city, while the dummy-mummy wife drives the kids to school in a jeep. Result: an inexcusable blot on the landscape, displaced community, state services such as health, schooling, and public services strecthed to being unworkable. Ireland now the 5th most oil-depedent sate in the world, per head, while many town centres are in decline.

However if you are planning to work in the countryside, and will look into building sustainably (ie no leaking septic tanks to begin with ) and are looking into incorporating the abode into the topography etc, thats a different story. It might be worth looking at using materials other than concrete for construction, wood, wattle, or straw - a lot less environmental impact, and much better thermal values. Also have a look at geo-thermal heating units etc.

A tip of genuine advice, if you are pursuing this route, have a look at the Green Building Handbook.

H

[penny]

Thank you both, I should have researhed the site for a bit longer before posting an obviously common topic. I take both your advice.
not here to fight, here to build!
Penny

[a boyle]

can i start ....

[hutton]

can i start ....

Oh go on then, go for it !

*goes off to get popcorn in anticipation of spectating as archiheads rip into eachother*

[PVC King]

Grow up

[hutton]

BTW Penny, please tell me that you fall into the 2nd catagory that I outlned earlier?

[hutton]

Grow up

Spoiler. Begone, ye Troll.

[Frank Taylor]

To gte back to Penny's question. I have also heard this story about planning in Meath. I was told that the planners advise that if you apply to build anything other than a dormer bungalow, things will be more difficult. Is there any truth in this?

[PVC King]

I am not so sceptical on this one

It is possible than someone with a little architectural taste has decided to take advantage of a complete lack of macro-managment of spatial planning under Roche to provide themselves with a house at a reduced price.

I for one do not blame anybody who takes advantage of this complete and deliberate non-observance of internationally accepted planning experience. It is not up to the individual to regulate for future fiscal planning in the form of minimising future local government and essential service expenditure it is the government.

The fact that people are asking about tasteful design also displays that progress albeit limited is being made on the McMansion front. To engage in cultural snobbery is a dangerous thing

[burge_eye]

I'm getting a bit tired of all you architectural genius's rubbishing people who come onto this site for, at the very least, a little advice and or direction. Let's see the RIAI gold medal winning schemes that hutton or doyle have come up with. Anyone who has tried to build something of architectural merit in a rural setting in this country will know just how morale sapping it can be. You lot display the perfect example of arrogant unapproachable architects that send people like Penny into the hands of technicians with the "house plan" book.

Perhaps you could turn your high powered spectacles on yourselves and come up with some good advice on design, planning and construction in rural settings. Post some examples of good rural architecture both past and present and set up something that new members can browse and be inspired by. Or you could teach......

[penny]

I fall into the second!where can i get my hands on the "Green Building Handbook"?

[penny]

The idea of living in a dormer bungalow really depresses me! i want to build an eco-friendly house that is a little different to what i see around me.any other opinions on my origional posting? I realise that i cant go nuts architecturally but am i so restricted that i can't even drift from the norn slightly? Ive heard of people being refused planning permission because their proposed windows were too big!
penny

[a boyle]

Grow up

You are old ....


That is ok BTW

[a boyle]

penny the basic reason that on off housing is not a good idea is :

It uses a tremendous amount of space. And destroys lots of farmland (some of the best is around the m50).

It makes traffic a lot worse, because roads with lots of single houses were often never meant to have lots of cars on them. This is ok if there are not too many , but in ireland we have a lot outside dublin. It means that the backroads end up clogged and the dualcarriage ways end up clogged to. Furthermore there is pretty much nothing you can do to improve traffic because there are not enough people even for a bus service.

If it is in the wrong place (on off housing have a habit of being in the wrong place) it tends to cause flooding. This flooding tends to be a lot more severe.

It is insanely expensive to service for electricity ,water and importantly sewerage. Often the first one off houses put in septic tanks but every cant do that . and you get problems ... . . . ..

They tend to be very ugly (well in ireland). just check out the other thread on the forum at the minute.

They tend to wreck views .so you end up saying things like : oh that looks nice pitty those houses are there ..' a lot more.

Right now in dublin it is the traffic. These people have to drive everywhere . and that just isn't how things work.

[purple1703]

Penny if you google for the Green Building Handbook you can download pages if you have a gmail account.

The link below should get you to it

http://books.google.ie/books?q=Green+Builders+Handbook&ots=hR1GOpXX5g&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title

[Lotts]

Penny, Can I suggest that you, (and anyone else contemplating a one off build in the countryside) have a look at the following online document
[INDENT]Cork rural design guide: building a house in the countryside[/INDENT]
It explains in detail what is wrong with most one-off designs, and gives very clear guidance on how to get things right. There's lots of pictures and a lot of the guidelines make good sense throughout the country. Even in Meath.
Good luck!