Planning

Why Planning Permission? The planning policy in Northern Ireland is administered by the Department of the Environment (DOE) Planning Service. This department seeks to improve the quality of the environment in which we live by :- providing Area Plans which set out areas in each town and village for housing, industry, hospitals, schools etc. Setting out policy which seeks to protect the natural environment. Designating conservation areas. Legislating on special subjects such as formulating a waste management policy for N.Ireland.

Area Plan The Area Plan is prepared by the Planning Department for all towns. It consists of maps, diagrams, illustrations and written information showing the expected development in that particular area for industry, housing, schools, hospitals, new roads etc. The plan forms the basis from which all development will be approved or disapproved in the coming years. The department can alter a development plan at any time if a good reason is given. The department must give adequate publicity to an area plan and allow opportunity for inspection and representation by any interested parties.

Planning in the Countryside The Department of Environment (DOE) Planning service has published advice on how it will apply the draft policy to protect Northern Ireland’s countryside. This policy statement issued on the 16 March 2006 is called “ Sustainable Development in the Countryside” The statement will apply a policy similar to Greenbelt policy to the whole of N. Ireland. Building will not be encouraged in the countryside unless it is a replacement dwelling, a farm workers dwelling or a retirement dwelling for a farmer. All of these dwellings will have to integrate into the countryside and the design will also have to reflect the area in which the dwelling is situated. In many areas this will mean windows which have a vertical emphasis, no facing brickwork rather rendered dash or stone. The policy will also enforce a scale and size which is considered appropriate for a rural setting.

Conservation Area What is a conservation area? Article 50 of the Planning (NI) Order 1991 provides the legislation for the protection of buildings of special architectural or historic interest, and for the designation of the whole areas of similar interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve and enhance. These areas are termed Conservation Areas. Planning Service, after consultation with Local Borough Councils, may decide to designate areas of towns or villages as a Conservation Area.

Gracehill Why designate Gracehill a Conservation Area? The Moravian village of Gracehill outside Ballymena is one of the best preserved villages of its kind not only in Ireland but also in Western Europe. The integrity of Gracehill has largely remained intact. The fact that it has remained intact should provide a visual testimony to the history and evolution of the village. In time the Conservation Area should constitute both a scenic heritage and historic resource having significant potential for recreation, tourism and environmental education.

Designing within Rural Conservation Areas The buildings within many Rural Conservation Areas are domestic in scale and this should be expected of all new developments including alterations and extensions to existing buildings. The elevation treatment should blend with existing mainly vertical emphasis and the solid to void proportion should reflect the existing proportions. All new development should complement the existing treatment and make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area. In this context it is essential that window detail, door detail, chimneys and gutter design should all be taken into account before arriving at a successful design scheme.

Windows The windows in areas of a building should have strong vertical proportions with various configurations of mullions and transoms. The windows are usually deep set and some are surrounded by ornate mouldings. New windows within a Conservation area should reflect this design and look sliding sash in design. Windows should be finished in either opaque paint or stained and varnished. It is of prime importance to retain the unity and rhythm of the street scene and the size of the window openings and the style and profile of the window which predominate are replicated in new buildings or extensions.

Doors Doors are seen to have a considerable influence on the appearance of a building. Within many conservation areas simple four panelled doors are the most appropriate form. Some doors such as this Georgian door have a fanlight. Where mouldings are associated with the door these should be maintained and restored during any renovation work. These doors should be painted in strong colours such as blue, brown or red. Bubbled, frosted or coloured glazing is not normally appropriate within a conservation Area.