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Design 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-spaceRegional 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 - 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-planningRelevant 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
dwellingaccessibilityPublic 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
dwellingaccessaccessibilityDesign and accessibility of public open space
3.1.55Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
All public open space should be accessible, suitably located, proportioned and planted, providing a focal point to the development, and offering varied, useable and attractive areas. Consideration sho
dwellingexternal-spaceaccessibilitysite-planningLighting, Landscaping and Furniture in Public Open Space
3.1.58Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Public open space should be sufficiently illuminated with areas of hard landscaping to encourage permeability and help create a safe, pleasant, comfortable and stimulating environment. Outdoor furnitu
dwellingexternal-spaceaccessibilityDesign of balconies and terraces
3.1.66Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
As a general principle, balconies and/or terraces provided (whether open, wholly or partly covered, or enclosed) should be accessible from living/dining rooms and be designed to provide equal amenity
flatsaccessibilityexternal-spaceAdaptable and accessible private amenity space for wheelchair users
3.1.69Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In addition to the provisions of RD1, Policy HOU7 sets out additional requirements in relation to the provision of adaptable and accessible private amenity space for wheelchair accessible dwellings. P
flatsdwellingaccessibilityexternal-spacewheelchair-accessibleBalancing permeable paving with accessibility requirements
3.1.73Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
However, this requirement must be balanced against the broader requirements to ensure individual dwellings are accessible in accordance with Policy HOU7: Adaptable and accessible housing. This will re
dwellingaccessibilitydrainagesite-planningPermeable surface treatments in residential developments
3.1.74Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
There is an increasing choice of materials available which are designed specifically to allow water to infiltrate to the ground or to be collected for re-use. Accordingly, when assessing proposals for
dwellingaccessibilitydrainageexternal-spaceResidential space standards - general requirements
3.1.76, 3.1.77Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Space standards refer to the requirement for adequate space provided to future residents to ensure accommodation is of a high quality and affords space for living. It is important to achieve a minimum
dwellingaccessibilityExternal 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
dwellingaccessstairsaccessibilityEntrance 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-escapeCorridors, stairwells and lifts - Design principles
3.2.9Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
It is important that corridors (including lobby areas), stairwells and lifts, where provided, are designed to accommodate the needs of all residents, particularly older persons, families with young ch
flatsaccessibilitymeans-of-escapeCorridors, stairwells and lifts - Dimensions and layout
3.2.10Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Corridors and stairwells should be wide enough to permit two people to pass one another comfortably. While the minimum standard for a corridor is 1200mm wide, a width of 1500mm is preferred to permit
flatsstairsaccessibilitymeans-of-escapeDesignated Internal Storage Space for General Flats
Table 1Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Table 1: Designated internal storage space (general flats) Room type | General needs housing (sq m) | Wheelchair accessible flat (sq m) | Internal storage space per flat (sq m) 1 person / 1 bedroom |
flatsdwellingaccessibilityWheelchair Accessible Accommodation Storage Requirements
3.2.13Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In the case of wheelchair accessible accommodation, the area set out in Table 1 is separate from criteria within Policy HOU7 which requires that space be provided in the entrance area to enable storag
flatsdwellingaccessibilitywheelchair-accessibleCycle 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-spacePolicy HOU7 Application Requirements
5Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Criteria a. to f. of Policy HOU7 must be met for all new housing. Criteria g. to o. of Policy HOU7 must be met for all new wheelchair accessible housing.
dwellingaccessibilityadaptable-housingAdaptable Housing - Policy HOU7 Overview
5.1.1Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Policy HOU7 seeks to ensure that all new homes are designed in a flexible way to ensure that housing is adaptable throughout all stages of life, maximising the ability for occupants to remain in their
dwellingaccessibilityadaptable-housingSocial Housing and Intermediate Rent - Lifetime Homes Standards
5.1.2Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The Department for Communities' (DfC's) Housing Association Guide (HAG) and Homes for Intermediate Rent Design Standards require all new social rented housing and Subsidised Intermediate Rent (SIR) ho
dwellingaccessibilityadaptable-housingsocial-housingPolicy HOU7 Criteria and Building Regulations
5.1.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The criteria set out in Policy HOU7 are not intended to meet full 'Lifetime Homes' standards or deliver fully wheelchair accessible homes. Rather, the objective is to deliver more adaptable and access
dwellingaccessibilityadaptable-housingPolicy HOU7 Relationship to Other Residential Design Policies
5.1.4Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Some of the adaptable and accessible policy criteria from Policy HOU7 closely relate to parts of the broader residential design policies. Where this is the case, the relevant narrative will be referen
dwellingaccessibilityadaptable-housingHOU7 criteria vs. 'Lifetime Homes' standards and Building Regulations comparison
Table 2Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Table 2: HOU7 criteria vs. 'Lifetime Homes' standards, Homes for Intermediate Rent Design Standards, DfC HAG standards and NI Building Regulations 1. Car parking 2. Distance from parking space to hom
dwellingflatsaccessibilitydesign-standardssocial-housingintermediate-rentAdaptable and Accessible Housing Standards Comparison Table
Table 5Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Lifetime Homes Standards | Within Policy HOU7 Additional DfC HAG requirements for Lifetime Homes (social housing only) | Homes for Intermediate Rent Design Standards (Subsidised Intermediate Rent (SIR
dwellingflatsaccessibilitysocial-housingintermediate-rentParking surface materials
5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Careful consideration must be given to surfaces for parking provision to ensure safe and comfortable access for all users, particularly those with limited mobility or who require use of a wheelchair,
dwellingaccessibilityexternal-spaceParking 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-spaceRecessed entrances and structural elements for shelter
5.2.6Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The incorporation of a recessed entrance to the property or the addition of structural elements around or above main entrances, for example open front porches or canopies, are useful in providing shel
dwellingaccessibilityexternal-spaceWeather sheltering for entrances
5.2.7Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
While it is a requirement of the NI Building Regulations that main entrances be sheltered from the weather, the Council would encourage proposals to apply the same standards to any secondary entrances
dwellingaccessibilityexternal-spacePolicy HOU7: Main entrances weather sheltering requirement
Policy HOU7 BBelfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Main entrances should be sheltered from the weather
dwellingaccessibilityexternal-spaceLiving and dining space at entrance level
5.2.8–5.2.10, Policy HOU7(C)Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
A large proportion of time within the home is spent within one or more reception rooms that provide seating/socialising space for the household and visitors. It is convenient and beneficial to users t
dwellingaccessibilityadaptable-housingEntrance 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
dwellingaccessibilityaccessEntrance level WC floorplan
Figure 5.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Figure 5.3: Entrance level WC floorplan
dwellingaccessibilityadaptable-housingAccessible bathroom requirements
5.2.14Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
To be fully accessible bathrooms require a WC, basin and installed level-access shower with provision for a bath in place of the shower if needed. Services should therefore be flexible and easily adap
dwellingaccessibilityflatsLocation of accessible bathroom
5.2.15Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
An accessible bathroom should be on the same floor as the main bedroom, and preferably adjacent to it to allow for potential future direct access between the two (see Section entitled 'Unobstructed tu
dwellingaccessibilityflatsPolicy HOU7: Adaptable and Accessible Housing - Accessible bathroom location
Policy HOU7 (E)Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
An accessible bathroom should be provided on the same floor as the main bedroom
dwellingaccessibilityflatsGlazing in principal living spaces
Policy HOU7.FBelfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Glazing in the principal living space should be sited to enable outlook when seated
dwellingaccessibilityglazingWindows in principal living spaces - sill height requirement
5.2.17Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
To allow a reasonable view from the principal living space to be experienced by all users, windows or other forms of glazing (for example, glazed doors) should comprise unobscured glass that starts no
dwellingaccessibilityglazingWheelchair accessible homes requirement
5.3.1 / Policy HOU7Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The requirement for at least 10% of units to be provided as wheelchair accessible homes within residential developments of 10 units or more is intended to broaden the range of accommodation suitable t
dwellingflatsaccessibilityWheelchair Accessible Housing Standards for Social and SIR Housing
5.3.2Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
However, as noted above, the wheelchair accessible standards are less onerous than requirements for full wheelchair housing standards. In the case of social housing or SIR housing, full wheelchair hou
dwellingflatsaccessibilitysocial-housingProportion of Wheelchair Accessible Housing - Illustrative Example
Figure 5.5Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Proportion of wheelchair accessible housing. Note: 50 residential units, comprising 45 (90%) general housing units (pink) and 5 (10%) wheelchair accessible units (blue).
dwellingflatsaccessibilitySpace standards for wheelchair housing
5.3.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The wheelchair housing space standards in Appendix C of the Plan Strategy apply to all wheelchair accessible homes as opposed to the space standards for general needs housing (see Section entitled 'Re
dwellingaccessibilitywheelchair-housingTechnical standards for wheelchair housing rooms
5.3.4Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
While the space standards are not prescriptive in terms of individual room sizes, guidance on desirable technical standards for individual rooms which may prove useful in developing proposals is avail
dwellingaccessibilitywheelchair-housingRoom dimensions and accessibility requirements
5.3.5Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Although only desirable, the technical standards for individual room sizes may help proposals meet other requirements of Policy HOU7. For example, larger room dimensions may make it easier to meet req
dwellingaccessibilitywheelchair-housingDisabled car parking with transfer spaces
5.3.6Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In-curtilage or designated car parking (either reserved spaces within residents' car parks or on-street provision) must meet disabled parking standards to ensure adequate transfer spaces to the side o
dwellingaccessibilityparkingFlexible disabled parking provision options
5.3.7Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
While it is preferable that each disabled bay provided has its own side transfer zone, parking for disabled users may also be provided if two adjacent standard parking
dwellingaccessibilityparking