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Regional 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-planningSeparation distances between facing windows in residential development
3.1.34Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In general, a separation of no less than 20 metres should be maintained between facing windows of the main habitable rooms (i.e. bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms or kitchens). Where windows face a
dwellingresidentialprivacyaccessReduced separation distances below 20m
3.1.36Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In such instances, separation distances of less than 20m may be deemed appropriate. However this would be determined on a case-by-case basis and would need to be justified by a way of a thorough analy
dwellingresidentialaccessprivacy45 Degree Rule for Daylight Assessment
Figure 3.16Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
To apply the 45 degree rule, a 45 degree line is projected from the centre point of the main habitable room (i.e. bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms or kitchens) window that is closest to the propos
dwellingaccesssite-planningAccessibility and Movement - Site Analysis and Connections
3.1.47Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The Council will expect that consideration is given to a much wider area than the proposed site, and for layouts to have greater regard to sustainable movement patterns. An analysis is needed of the o
dwellingaccessactive-travelsite-planningAccessibility and Movement - Active Travel and Route Design
3.1.48Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Proposals should seek to reduce reliance on the private car, foster active travel movement, such as walking or cycling, respect existing public rights of way and provide convenient access to public tr
dwellingaccessactive-travelsite-planningPublic Transport Accessibility Standards
Footnote 9Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Around 100 metres should be a maximum walking distance for the elderly or those whose mobility is impaired and for the majority of other dwellings the distance should be within 200 metres, with a maxi
dwellingaccessaccessibilityPolicy RD1: New Residential Developments - Public Transport and Active Travel
Policy RD1 - CBelfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Makes provision for, or is, accessible and convenient to public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure
dwellingaccessactive-travelsite-planningAccess to residential units through front doors or shared courtyards
3.1.83Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Where the layout permits, access to units within new residential development should be through a front door with direct access to the street. In circumstances where this cannot be achieved, particular
dwellingaccesssite-planningExternal rear staircases as main entrances are unacceptable
3.1.84Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
External staircases at the back of the building, via a rear alleyway are not acceptable as the main entrance as they cause a loss of privacy for neighbouring properties. They would also fail to meet t
dwellingaccessstairsaccessibilityPolicy RD1 requirement: direct access from public street
Policy RD1 - GBelfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Does not contain any units which are wholly in the rear of the property without direct, safe and secure access from the public street
dwellingaccesssite-planningEntrance lobbies and communal spaces in apartment developments
3.2.5Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Entrance lobbies and communal spaces (including corridors, stairwells and lifts) that provide circulation within new-build apartment developments must be: i. appropriate in scale to facilitate safe ac
flatsaccessaccessibilitymeans-of-escapeEntrance lobbies - frontage and arrival
3.2.6Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
It is important that entrance lobbies present onto the main street and maintain an active frontage which provides a sense of arrival on entering the building. This can be achieved through use of appro
dwellingflatsaccessEntrance lobbies - communal function and welcoming space
3.2.8Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Rather than merely offering a gateway to stairwells and lifts, entrance lobbies should be comfortable spaces which conveniently connect with communal facilities provided within the building (see secti
dwellingflatsaccessCycle parking provision for residents
3.2.18Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Provision for cycle parking should be provided for residents in communal storage facilities, internal to the residential block or within a designated external area in close proximity to it. Storage fo
dwellingflatsaccessaccessibilityexternal-spaceIndependent Access Requirements for Self-Contained Units
4.1.4Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Self-contained units must have independent access via a lockable doorway, but can avail of shared entrance halls, shared staircases and external spaces, such as yards or areas set aside for the storag
dwellingconversionsubdivisionaccessmeans-of-escapeResidential access above commercial premises
4.4.1Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Residential units above commercial premises should have their own separate access to the street frontage to avoid conflict with the commercial properties on the lower floor(s). Where this is not possi
dwellingcommercialaccessRear and side access to residential units above commercial premises
4.4.2Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Rear or side accesses should only be used as the primary access if they are well lit and already extensively used for this purpose. In these instances all rear or side alleyways must lead directly ont
dwellingcommercialaccessResidential entrance design above commercial premises
4.4.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The guidance on residential units (see Section 3.0) will apply to entrances providing access to residential units above commercial premises.
dwellingcommercialaccessParking surface gradients and approach to main entrance
5.2.4, 5.2.5Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
A level or gently sloping approach to the main entrance of the property is necessary to facilitate access. The approach to the property should be kept to a minimum and demonstrably within a comfortabl
dwellingaccessaccessibilityexternal-spacePolicy HOU7: Adaptable and Accessible Housing - Parking
Policy HOU7Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Parking provision should have a firm surface and provide level or gently sloping access to the main entrance of the property
dwellingaccessibilityaccessexternal-spaceEntrance level WC provision
5.2.11Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The provision of an entrance level WC is a requirement of NI Building Regulations and is convenient for all members of the household and visitors, reducing unnecessary use of stairs and the potential
dwellingaccessibilityaccessFuture provision for accessible shower space
5.2.12Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In addition to NI Building Regulations requirements, space should be sufficient to meet potential future need for the addition of a level access shower and associated drainage, either within the WC or
dwellingaccessibilityaccessPolicy HOU7: Adaptable and Accessible Housing - WC and shower provision
Policy HOU7 (D)Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Accommodation should provide entrance level WC with space to provide an accessible shower in the future is required
dwellingaccessibilityaccessAccessible on-street parking
Figure 5.8Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Figure 5.8: Accessible on-street parking
dwellingaccessaccessibilityexternal-spacePathway width and accessibility requirements
5.3.10Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Pathways providing access to dwellings should be designed to be accessible for all users, included wheelchair users and those with limited abilities or sensory impairments. Pathways should meet the re
dwellingaccessaccessibilityPathway design integration
5.3.11Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Pathways should be considered at an early stage in the design of proposals to avoid issues with protracted routes and minimise the impact on visual appearance of any fixtures such as handrails or rail
dwellingaccessaccessibilitysite-planningPolicy HOU7: Pathway surface and gradient requirements
Policy HOU7Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Pathways are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair and have a firm surface, level or gently sloping surface
dwellingaccessaccessibilityLiving rooms and circulation spaces in accessible housing
5.3.15Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
These rooms should be large enough for a wheelchair user to be able to approach and circulate around furniture, and in the case of living rooms, there should be space to transfer from wheelchair to se
dwellingflatsaccessibilityaccessBathrooms and wet rooms in accessible housing
5.3.15Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Bathrooms (including wet rooms) must also be capable of achieving a turning circle of 1500mm clear diameter and it may be appropriate to allow space for potential future direct access to the main bedr
dwellingflatsaccessibilityaccessMain bedroom space requirements in accessible housing
5.3.16Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In terms of the main bedroom, it should be large enough to allow access to both sides of the bed. The space provided should also permit access to the window and bedroom furniture.
dwellingflatsaccessibilityaccessNotional furniture layouts and wheelchair manoeuvre demonstration
5.3.17Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Notional furniture layouts should be shown in all rooms, demonstrating essential wheelchair manoeuvres, including the required 1500mm turning circles in all living rooms. Where applicable, it may also
dwellingflatsaccessibilityaccessWheelchair access - circulation routes and doorway widths
5.3.18, 5.3.19Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
It is important to ensure there is sufficient space to allow wheelchair users and others with limited mobility to safely enter the dwelling. The widths of hallways and door openings are important cons
dwellingaccessibilityaccessHallway layout and turning circles for wheelchair access
5.3.20Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The length of the hallway should be kept to a minimum and the layout of it and other rooms should be considered alongside any required turning circles (see Section entitled 'Unobstructed turning circl
dwellingaccessibilityaccessPolicy HOU7: Entrances, doorways and halls for wheelchair access
Policy HOU7 - KBelfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Entrances, doorways and halls should be an appropriate width and length for wheelchair access
dwellingaccessibilityaccessLift access - Design for future adaptation
5.3.24Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Dwellings should be designed for easy adaptation to accommodate future provision for the installation of a through-floor lift and connecting circulation spaces at each level. Circulation spaces should
dwellingaccessibilityaccessLift core location and dimensions
5.3.25Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
A suitable location for the lift core and its connecting spaces should be clearly identified on planning drawings, with space identified at both ground and first floor level. Space should be sufficien
dwellingaccessibilityaccessDual use of lift core space prior to installation
5.3.26Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
As per criterion l., the space identified for the lift core and landing may be used for other purposes, such as circulation space or storage prior to any need for use for a
dwellingaccessibilityaccessAdaptable and Accessible Housing
5Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Adaptable and accessible housing
dwellingaccessibilityaccessNatural light (or daylight)
Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Refers to combined skylight and sunlight Subtended angle The angle formed by something when taken from a given viewpoint.
accessglazing