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Purpose and Scope of SPG003
1.1.1-1.1.2Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
This Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) provides additional advice and guidance specific to policies contained in the Belfast Local Development Plan Strategy. It relates to the following policies:
dwellingresidential-designplanning-guidanceStatus and Application of SPG Guidance
1.1.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
SPG represents non-statutory planning guidance that supports, clarifies and/or illustrates by example, policies included within the current planning policy framework, including development plans and r
planning-guidanceDesign Principles for Residential Development
1.1.4Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
It is important that new residential development and/or conversions or subdivisions of existing buildings for residential use are balanced against consideration of the impact of such works on neighbou
dwellingaccessibilityadaptable-housingexternal-spaceSocial Housing and Intermediate Rent Standards
1.1.5Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
It should also be noted that where social housing forms part of a proposed development, there are a range of specific design requirements to which all new build social housing should adhere to as a co
dwellingsocial-housingdesign-standardsSubsidised Intermediate Rent Design Standards
1.1.6Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Subsidised Intermediate Rent homes developed with Government funding to meet the design standards set out in the "Homes for Intermediate Rent Design Standards". Whilst many of these requirements will
dwellingresidentialMerit-Based Assessment of Residential Development Applications
1.1.7Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Every application for new residential development and/or conversions or subdivisions of existing buildings for residential use within the Belfast City Council area will be treated on merit, taking int
dwellingresidentialRegional Development Strategy 2035 - Housing Quality and Character
2.1.1Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) provides regional guidance (RG) under the three sustainable development themes of Economy, Society and Environment. RG8 recognises the importance of developing
dwellingaccessaccessibilitysite-planningSPPS - Amenity Space and Well-Being
2.1.2Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) identifies core principles to assist with plan-making and decision taking. Under the 'Improving Health and Well-Being' core principle the SPPS recognises
dwellingexternal-spaceSPPS - Environmental and Amenity Considerations
2.1.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The SPPS also acknowledges that there are a wide range of environment and amenity considerations which should be taken into account by planning authorities when proposing policies or managing developm
dwellingsite-planningSPPS - Good Design and Place Making
2.1.4Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
An additional core principle seeks to support good design and positive place making, and in respect of 'Housing in Settlements', the SPPS acknowledges that good design contributes to the creation of p
dwellingaccessibilitysite-planningSPPS - Sustainable Design and Landscape Considerations
2.1.5Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In addition, the SPPS recognises that design should encompass how buildings and places function in use and over the lifetime of a development, including how the design of a development can minimise en
dwellingenergyexternal-spacePlan Strategy overview
2.2.1Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The Plan Strategy (PS) provides the strategic policy framework for the plan area as a whole across a range of topics. It sets out the vision for Belfast as well as the objectives and strategic policie
dwellingnon-domesticRelevant Plan Strategy policies for residential design
2.2.2Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
While this guidance supplements Policy RD1: New residential development, Policy RD3: Conversion and sub-division of existing buildings for residential use and Policy HOU7: Adaptable and accessible acc
dwellingaccessibilityLocal Policies Plan and Key Site Requirements
2.2.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The Local Policies Plan (LPP) will set out Key Site Requirements (KSRs) for certain zoned housing sites, which in some cases may include specific guidance in relation to housing design alongside other
dwellingsite-planningConservation Area Guides
2.2.4Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
A series of Conservation Area design guides are available for reference when developing proposals for development within a conservation area. The guides generally provide information on the planning c
conservationsite-planningPolicy RD1: New Residential Development Overview
Policy RD1Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Policy RD1 states that planning permission will be granted for new residential development where it is in accordance with general urban design policies and where it is demonstrated that a number of cr
dwellingflatsSite Context and Local Character Analysis
3.1.1-3.1.2Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Established residential areas often display a clear spatial structure. Building forms, plot sizes and shapes are sometimes similar with a well-defined pattern of local development. Properties may exhi
dwellingsite-planningInfill and Redevelopment in Established Areas
3.1.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Analysis of context is particularly important for infill housing, backland development or demolition and redevelopment schemes in established residential areas. While such development can usefully con
dwellingsite-planningconservationAssessment of Housing Proposals - Character and Amenity Protection
3.1.4Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In assessing housing proposals in established residential areas the Council will therefore need to be satisfied that unacceptable harm will not be caused to the local character, environmental quality
dwellingsite-planningPolicy RD1: New Residential Developments - Character Conformity
RD1Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Will not create conflict with adjacent land uses, remaining in conformity with the character of any established residential areas
dwellingsite-planningSite characteristics for new residential development
3.1.5Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Proposals for new residential development must respect the individual characteristics and features of the site itself. These include topography, existing buildings, features of the archaeological or b
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceconservationLayout design on sloping sites
3.1.6Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Particular care will be necessary in preparing layout proposals on sloping sites in order to minimise the impact of differences in level between adjoining properties, existing or proposed. The use of
dwellingsite-planningLayout considerations and public open space integration
3.1.7Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The design of house types and other buildings, the relationship between them, their relationship to streets and the spaces created around them will all strongly influence the character of the overall
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceopen-spaceLayout and design quality - avoiding road-dominated schemes
3.1.8, 3.1.9Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Poor quality residential developments have often been designed with little appreciation for local character or a sense of place and have tended to be dominated by road considerations. They also fail t
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceTreatment of corner sites and landmark opportunities
3.1.10Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In the interests of residential amenity, particular care will be required in the treatment of corner sites within layouts. Corner sites should contain specifically designed buildings and high-quality
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceSpace around buildings in residential development
3.1.11Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The space around buildings often has multiple functions and it is imperative that the layout and function of space is addressed, at the outset, as part of the design and layout of new residential deve
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceLink passages in terraced housing
3.1.12Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
consideration should be given to the provision of link passages mid-way in the terrace to prevent long rear alleyways and assist in rear servicing for bins and cycle parking, etc.
dwellingexternal-spaceResidential amenity and separation
3.1.12Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Space will also be required for residential amenity, including play spaces, and to provide for separation between properties to ensure residents benefit from adequate daylight and sunlight, and to ach
dwellingexternal-spaceForm, materials and detailing for coherence
3.1.13Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Design concepts for a new residential environment should seek to provide contrast and interest balanced by unifying elements to provide coherence and identity. As well as greater variety in the spatia
dwellingMix of house types and tenure-blind design
3.1.14Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
To help create balanced and sustainable communities, policies require a mix of house types, sizes and tenures. Development should be tenure blind, with the form, materials and detailing ensuring no vi
dwellingBoundary treatment
3.1.15Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
It will be necessary to provide details of the boundary treatment of buildings as this can significantly affect the overall quality and character of new housing areas. The Council will expect use of a
dwellingexternal-spaceDesign in proximity to sensitive designations
3.1.16Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In assessing schemes in close proximity to listed buildings, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas and Areas of Townscape Character, the Council will have particular regard to publis
dwellingconservationContemporary design and energy efficiency
3.1.17Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
While the Council considers it important to ensure that all new residential development fits in well with its surroundings, this will not preclude quality contemporary design using modern materials. I
dwellingenergySustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)6 and more environmentally sound methods of disposing of effluent.
dwellingdrainagesite-planningDensity - Site Characteristics and Development Requirements
3.1.18Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Site characteristics, the need to preserve existing site features and vegetation, space requirements for the provision of open spaces and specific needs within social housing will all influence develo
dwellingexternal-spacesite-planningProtection of local character and amenity in residential development
3.1.19Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Great care must be taken to ensure that development or redevelopment proposals do not unacceptably harm the local character, environmental quality or amenity of established residential areas. In all c
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceInfill housing in established residential areas
3.1.20Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Infill housing in established residential areas will not always be appropriate, particularly in many older residential areas with distinctive townscapes often dating from the Victorian or Edwardian pe
dwellingsite-planningconservationexternal-spaceBackland development requirements
3.1.21Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In appropriate circumstances backland areas offer the potential to integrate new residential development that is capable of producing a high-quality environment. To be successful, proposals for backla
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceBackland development plot coverage
3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
areas should not exceed that of the existing dwellings fronting the surrounding streets.
dwellingsite-planningCoherent and legible form in backland development
3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
achieve a coherent and legible form – a coherent form is important for all new development, however, it will be different for backland schemes with through access and those without. A through access w
dwellingsite-planningIntegration of existing landscape features in backland development
3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
integrate existing landscape features – where trees or landscape features form part of a backland plot, the design should seek to retain these and integrate them into the new development. Replacement
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceResidential aspect and street frontage
3.vBelfast·SPG003 Residential Design
provide a residential aspect onto the new road – new residential development should seek to reinforce the existing organisation of the fronts and backs of the dwellings. It should also seek to organis
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceIntegration of existing and new landscapes and streets
3.viBelfast·SPG003 Residential Design
take care over the integration of the existing and new landscapes and streets – the threshold between the new development and surrounding streets requires careful attention. The aim must be to achieve
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceServicing arrangements for residential development
3.viiBelfast·SPG003 Residential Design
facilitate adequate servicing arrangements – access roads should allow for the collection of waste and access for emergency vehicles. Access roads exclusively servicing 5 dwellings or more must be to
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceTandem Development - Policy and Acceptability
3.1.22Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Tandem development is a form of backland development where one new house is placed directly behind another either sharing the same, or an additional driveway/access. This form of development is genera
dwellingsite-planningresidentialDemolition and redevelopment - character and integrity considerations
3.1.23Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Demolition and redevelopment of existing houses presents the greatest challenge in terms of retaining the character and integrity of the established street scene. Without great care and attention to d
dwellingsite-planningDemolition and redevelopment - design approach and road access
3.1.24Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
An imaginative approach is needed which considers the whole character of place including enclosure, landscape treatment and the sequence of spaces within the development. Particular attention needs to
dwellingsite-planningRedevelopment acceptability criteria
3.1.25Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Redevelopment is generally the least attractive option for residential intensification. The reuse, renovation and/or retrofit of existing buildings, where feasible, is preferable to redevelopment in t
dwellingsite-planningNew residential development
3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
New residential development
dwellingsite-planningConservation Areas and Areas of Townscape Character - Assessment Principles
3.1.26Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In assessing housing proposals in Conservation Areas and Areas of Townscape Character, the protection of the existing character and distinctive qualities of the area will be paramount. Particular care
dwellingconservation