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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2660127 - F.I. Received Doc. - Other Assessmentstom wilson planning chartered town planner mob: 07818086107 email: info@tomwilsonplanning.com Alterations to an Existing Two-Storey Dwelling at Annamacneill, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan RECEIVED: 11/08/2026 Tom Wilson BSc Hons Dip TP MRTPI I have been asked to advise in response to the request for further information, dated 15 May, and in particular Point 1, relating to the detailed design of the proposed alterations to the dwelling. This supporting statement sets out the design challenges and the approach adopted. It should be noted that, at the preliminary / pre-application stage, there were comprehensive discussions around the appropriate design and the adopted approach has been agreed with Adrian Hughes of the Planning Department. This proposal is to carry out elevational alterations to an existing, vacant dwelling and for associated site works as described on the application. The current, vacant dwelling is a modest sized, two-storey building with a ground area of approximately 77 sq m. It has a simple rectangular form and is constructed of dressed, local stone with a natural slate roof. The proposal does not include any extension or alteration to the original, overall architectural form of the building. The proposed alteration that appears to have given rise to some concern is the introduction of a large area of glazing in the south facing wall. However this feature was introduced in order to address an inherent incompatibility between the original form of the dwelling and the desire for a more sustainable home that meets the needs of 21st century living. The scheme was prepared after careful consideration of the Monaghan Rural Design Guide which acknowledges that achieving sustainability and creating an attractive home meeting modern needs within older traditional structures can be a challenge. In this case, the challenge was to introduce a modern standard of daylight within the core of the house and to maximise passive solar gain, thus achieving a higher standard of sustainability. These principles are addressed in the Design Guide. Sustainability (Page 46) Dependence on traditional fossil fuel as sources of energy can be reduced by capturing the energy that is free - from the sun - by passive solar heating. Passive solar space heating depends on the form, orientation of rooms and the fabric of the building –the levels of insulation in the walls, floor, roof and windows. A Direct Gain system is the most useful passive solar method for Ireland’s climate. It is the simplest solar collection technique and the easiest to construct. It is explained more fully in Section 4.5. This approach insulate s the enclosing envelope to a high degree, reduces energy consumed within the house by minimising the number of electrical fittings and using low energy electrical equipment as much as possible. Solar gain is maximised by positioning larger (or more) windo ws on the south and west sides of the house and heat loss is minimised by making windows as small as possible on the northern side. The proposed area of glazing is in the south facing wall, centrally located within the dwelling, in a location where the main, first floor living area should most benefit from the solar gain, with the rooms leading off the circulation space on both floors also benefitting. These principles are addressed in further detail in the relevant section of the Design Guide. RECEIVED: 11/08/2026 Tom Wilson BSc Hons Dip TP MRTPI PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING (Page 78) The sun is free energy. The effective capture of this inside the house by making much greater use of passive solar design will reduce consumption of fossil fuels. This is the energy saving strategy that has most to offer under Irish climatic conditions. It depends, for its success, on the shape of the building, the materials it is made from, the size and position of windows – and especially the levels of insulation in the walls, floor, roof and windows. The Direct Gain system is the most effective passive solar method in Ireland’s climate. In this approach solar gain is maximised by positioning the larger windows on the south and west sides of the house and deliberately making window openings as small as possible on the north side of the house. The Design Guide sets out the principles behind sustainable design and advocates a contemporary approach to achieving these goals. CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES (Page 89) It is possible to rework the key ingredients of traditional groupings in an innovative way to insert a new contemporary house into these groupings in a way that respects the traditional but also expresses and meets the needs of the 21st century. Such schemes will be encouraged provided they achieve a harmonious relationship with the surrounding countryside. A worked example of this contemporary approach, considered appropriate for the Monaghan rural area is provided. While this outlines a new-build solution, it demonstrates what is considered as an appropriate design in the rural area, combining the main, simple, tradi tional architectural forms but with a contemporary approach. The resultant example includes the single central full storey glazing area combined with small, vertical emphasis windows, similar to the solution reached in the subject case. Worked Example (Page 92) Drawing on the advice in the previous sections of the guide this chapter illustrates how the key points already discussed can be incorporated into a new house in the Co Monaghan countryside that is contemporary in its appearance and meets the needs o f a family in the 21st century but also forms part of a continuum with the past drawing on and reinforcing the identified strong signature characteristics of traditional rural houses in the county. RECEIVED: 11/08/2026 Tom Wilson BSc Hons Dip TP MRTPI From the Design Guide ‘Worked Example’ p92-99 Current Proposal Existing Dwelling It is our view that the design solution proposed in this case is an appropriate response to the retention of an original vernacular dwelling, whilst delivering both an attractive, modern living environment and achieving the best sustainable energy efficiency via passive solar gain. It is also our view that the strong character of the existing structure, with its stone walls, natural slated roof and unaltered traditional form is sufficiently strong to accommodate the contemporary approach to this design. RECEIVED: 11/08/2026