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Policy 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
dwellingflatsNoise and disturbance minimisation in residential design
3.1.44Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The design and layout of new residential development should minimise the potential for noise disturbance. Acoustic design considerations should therefore receive attention at an early stage in the ove
dwellingflatssoundsite-planningAcoustic design for apartment and flat developments
3.1.46Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
These aspects are particularly important in relation to residential units within new apartment/flat developments. The 'stacking' of apartment/flats, whereby consistent room types are above each other
flatssoundStacking of apartments - Figure 3.18
Figure 3.18Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Figure 3.18: 'Stacking' of apartments
dwellingflatsresidential-designPrivate open space for apartments
3.1.64Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
For apartment developments, private open space may be provided in the form of individual spaces (e.g. balconies, terraces, private patio or garden areas) or communal gardens (e.g. roof terraces/garden
flatsexternal-spaceIndividual balconies and private patios
3.1.65Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Individual balconies, private patios or garden areas serve the residents of singular units within apartment development. Balconies should be provided wherever possible for upper floor units, along wit
flatsexternal-spaceDesign 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-spaceBalcony design and screening requirements
3.1.67Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
These minimum areas and dimensions should provide sufficient space for a small table and chairs, screened clothes drying or for residents and visitors to relax. Balconies with a larger floor area of g
flatsresidential-designexternal-spaceprivacyCommunal gardens and roof gardens
3.1.68Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Communal gardens provide shared amenity space for use by all residents of apartment developments and should be secured against unauthorised access. Communal roof gardens can be used if climatic and sa
flatsresidential-designexternal-spaceamenityAdaptable 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-accessibleCeiling heights and natural light
3.1.80Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The perception of space in dwellings can be affected by ceiling heights within rooms, with higher ceilings appearing less restrictive. When combined with larger openings (such as windows or patio door
dwellingflatsventilationManagement Arrangements for Apartment Developments Over 30 Units
3.2.1Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Apartment developments are often characterised by a range of communal areas and/or services which are not adopted or maintained by a public authority. These include public open spaces and landscaped a
flatsnew-buildexternal-spaceDesign and Quality Standards for Communal Areas
3.2.2Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The management and maintenance of any such communal areas and/or services, should be fully considered. Such areas should benefit from simplistic design which incorporates the use of high-quality mater
flatsnew-buildexternal-spaceManagement Plans
3.2.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Management Plans are an appropriate mechanism to outline the general arrangements for apartment developments. Although not exhaustive, information that may be provided within management plans includes
flatsnew-buildSection 76 Planning Agreements for Management Arrangements
3.2.4Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Section 76 planning agreements may be required to secure management arrangements where these cannot be adequately addressed by the imposition of conditions alone. In such instances, it will be necessa
flatsnew-buildPolicy RD1: New Residential Developments - Management Arrangements
Policy RD1Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Management arrangements are in place to ensure a positive and safe living environment for occupants
dwellingflatsnew-buildEntrance 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 - door control mechanisms and security
3.2.7Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
It is important that doorways incorporate control mechanisms for access and egress to safeguard the safety and security of residents. Electronic/digital door entry systems are the most common method o
dwellingflatssecurityEntrance 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
dwellingflatsaccessCorridors, 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-escapeInternal storage in apartments
3.2.11Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Adequate space for internal storage must be provided separate to areas containing boilers and other utility infrastructure. At a minimum, units within new-build apartment development must provide buil
flatsdwellingnon-domesticStorage space accommodation within space standards
3.2.12Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The additional space can be accommodated within the relevant minimum space standards, as long as sufficient space is provided for individual rooms.
flatsdwellingDesignated 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-accessibleWaste storage in kitchens
3.2.14Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Waste storage and recycling facilities in residential development must be considered both in terms of the kitchen environment and any external private or communal facilities. Adequate space must be pr
dwellingflatstopic-wasteExternal bin location and access
3.2.15Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
External bin provision must be conveniently located for residents and positioned in a way that it enables refuse collection vehicles to gain access easily while not harming the streetscene.
dwellingflatstopic-wasteExternal storage area design and ventilation
3.2.16Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
External storage areas should be away from windows and ventilators, not interfere with pedestrian or cycling routes and, preferably, be in shade or under shelter. Enclosures, compounds or storage room
dwellingflatstopic-wasteventilationPolicy RD1: Waste storage and disposal provision
Policy RD1 - LBelfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Provision is made for the storage and disposal of waste
dwellingflatstopic-wasteCycle 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-spaceExternal cycle storage design integration
3.2.19Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
External cycle storage should be designed using materials which integrate with the architectural treatment of the residential block and should not detract from the appearance of the development or its
dwellingflatsexternal-spacePolicy RD1 requirement for cycle parking
Policy RD1 - MBelfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Appropriate provision is made for safe, convenient and secure cycle parking
dwellingflatsexternal-spaceCommunal facilities in residential developments
3.2.20Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Many residents that choose apartment living also desire a range of communal facilities to be provided as part of the development. Such facilities should be accessible to all residents within a buildin
flatsresidentialcommunal-spaceAdditional facilities for apartment developments
Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The following list provides an indication of the kind of additional facilities that can be desired and/or provided within apartment developments: • Gyms and exercise rooms – residential gyms offering
dwellingflatsexternal-spaceConversion or sub-division of existing buildings for residential use
4Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Conversion or sub-division of existing buildings for residential use
dwellingflatsresidentialScreening assessment for conversion and sub-division proposals
4.2.3Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Any proposal for screening will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking account of all relevant factors, including any impact on the existing property and its surrounding area. In the case of larg
dwellingflatsPurpose of floorspace limits for residential conversions and sub-divisions
4.3.1, 4.3.2Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
To ensure that existing buildings are appropriate for conversion or sub-division, a minimum size limit is placed on properties which will be permitted for conversion to residential use. This serves to
dwellingflatsHOU7 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-rentAccessible 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
dwellingaccessibilityflatsWheelchair 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).
dwellingflatsaccessibilityLiving 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
dwellingflatsaccessibilityaccess