Rural Development (Leaving Cert Construction Studies): Revision Notes
Rural Development
What is rural development?
Rural development refers to the expansion of settlement in the countryside. This type of development should be both sustainable and sympathetic to the traditions and materials of the local area. Unlike urban settings, rural development is characterised by low density and should have an equally low impact on the surrounding landscape.
The key principle is that rural development must integrate sensitively with the existing environment rather than imposing urban-style building patterns on countryside locations.
Types of rural settlement patterns
Rural areas display different patterns of settlement, each with distinct characteristics and planning implications. While these settlements may appear unplanned or scattered, they can actually be grouped according to specific traits.
Nodal settlement
A nodal settlement consists of a small number of houses clustered around a local service point, such as a shop or church. This pattern is typical of the Irish countryside and creates small rural clusters of communities with shared services.
When planning further development in nodal settlements, policies encourage expansion of the natural cluster rather than building between separate clusters. Building between clusters should be avoided because it maintains the natural settlement pattern and prevents elongation of the settlement, which would strain local services.
Linear or ribbon development
Linear development, also known as ribbon development, uses roads as access points to obtain services. Houses are typically located along important local routes, creating a ribbon-like pattern of development.
Current planning policies discourage linear development, particularly groups of five or more dwellings on one side of a road over a 250-metre stretch.
This restriction exists for several important reasons:
- It results in houses being strung out along roads
- It imposes an urban influence on the rural landscape
- It creates numerous access points to rural roads, creating traffic hazards
- It landlocks farms behind the development
- It intrudes on scenic views
- It leads to loss of natural features like hedgerows, banks and ditches
Dispersed settlement
Dispersed settlement appears as a random scattering of buildings across the landscape. This pattern often results from land being divided into separate farms or agricultural areas. The buildings typically include a mixture of residential and agricultural structures, such as farmhouses and farm sheds.
This pattern reflects the historical division of land for farming purposes and creates a scattered appearance across the countryside.
Planning guidelines for rural development
Several planning guidelines help developers integrate new buildings sensitively into rural landscapes. These guidelines ensure that developments respect the natural environment and local character.
Reading the landscape
The landscape should always be considered when locating new rural development. A new building should sit comfortably within its surroundings, neither dominating the landscape nor disappearing from view. Instead, the development should be integrated through careful siting.
Key Principles for Landscape Integration:
- Avoiding excessive excavation or material movement
- Considering the natural contour of the site and retaining it where practical
- Taking account of settlement patterns in the surrounding area
- Considering the style and scale of existing buildings in the locality
The natural topography (the layout of the land) must be respected in rural development. Over-excavated sites and over-manicured areas do not respect the natural environment and should be avoided.
Maintaining existing site features
New buildings should not appear as though they have been simply transplanted from urban areas or other parts of the country into a new rural setting. Where possible, existing site features should be retained, including:
- Natural boundaries such as hedgerows and stone walls
- Existing tree and shrub planting
- Natural shelter and windbreak features
- Traditional field boundaries
Over-manicured lawns, fenced boundaries, and other urban elements are inappropriate in rural settings. To properly integrate a building into the landscape, at least two existing natural boundaries should be retained.
The building must not break the skyline or waterline where applicable, as this intrudes on the local scenery. Indigenous trees and shrubbery planted around the site help developments blend with their surroundings while providing natural windbreaks.
Design and form of development
Rural developments should use simple, restrained forms that integrate easily into their surroundings. The building's design should complement rather than compete with the natural topography.
Local building materials should be used wherever possible, particularly local stone and traditional materials, as this connects the building to the landscape. However, developers should use a restricted range of materials to prevent a 'fussy' appearance in the finished building.
When building in contemporary styles, inspiration should come from indigenous house forms in the local area. This approach helps prevent new buildings from standing out inappropriately while still allowing for modern design.
The construction must be solid and simple to successfully integrate into the rural landscape.
Ecological design and orientation
Developers must consider several environmental factors when designing rural buildings:
- Wind direction and prevailing wind patterns - Buildings should be sited and oriented to avoid exposure to cold prevailing winds while allowing for natural ventilation in warmer weather. Sheltered outdoor areas and windbreaks can improve comfort and reduce heat loss.
- Path of the sun - South-facing windows allow maximum sunlight during winter, reducing the need for heating. Overhangs or planting can help block high summer sun, preventing overheating.
- Passive solar design opportunities - Good orientation, window placement, and thermal mass can reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
- Natural shelter - Trees, hedgerows, and natural slopes can provide protection from wind and enhance privacy.
- Appropriate planting for additional shelter - Planting native species in the right locations can improve biodiversity, provide shade, and reduce wind exposure over time.
Road boundaries and site access
Site entrances should be discreet and simple to integrate with the local landscape. Gates with alarms, high walls, and decorative architectural features should be avoided as they detract from the natural rural environment.
Driveway Considerations: Tarmacadam surfaces can appear unsightly in areas of natural beauty. Alternative materials such as shale or gravel provide a more natural appearance that better suits rural settings.
The boundary facing the roadside must complement existing boundaries to prevent visual breaks when viewing the property from the road. This maintains the continuity of the rural streetscape.
Key Points to Remember:
- Rural development should be sustainable and sympathetic to local traditions and materials
- Three main settlement patterns exist: nodal (clustered), linear (ribbon), and dispersed (scattered)
- Planning guidelines focus on reading the landscape, maintaining existing features, and using appropriate design
- Building design should use simple forms, local materials, and avoid over-elaborate features
- Good integration requires respecting natural topography, existing boundaries, and local building styles