Split level houses

Starrgrrl

Hiya!
1st of which I'm sure will be many posts here!
We're in the very very early stages of planning to build on a gorgeous but elevated site in Kildare. Our hope is to build a split level home, basically 2 stories at the front and one at the back, kinda hugging the hill because we think this is the least intrusive and best way to build here. it'll be upside down, with the lower ground floor housing the bedrooms and the 1st floor the living area. We hope to have large slidding doors at the back opening onto the top of the hill.
Basically, we have a preplanning meeting at the end of this month and am wondering what issues you can see us coming up against planning wise? Local needs shouldn't be an issue as my boyfriend was born an raised about 100 yards away, elderly mother, local job etc. The site is a green field site not over looked and there's another house about 300 yards further down the road.
Also have anyone else experienced building a similar design?
Thanks in advance for any input you all have.

Mellor

The first thing that came to mind when you mention bedrooms at the lower level was disabled access.
not a planning matter but needs to be sorted at an early stage

Corkblowin

Mellor wrote: »

The first thing that came to mind when you mention bedrooms at the lower level was disabled access.
not a planning matter but needs to be sorted at an early stage

Isn't it the same issue with a standard 2 storey house where all the bedrooms are upstairs? House has to be visitable, not liveable to comply with the regs, although planning a room at the entrance level that could be converted to a bedroom in the future if needs be is always a good idea.

As for issues, without seeing the site its hard to say, but one point is that if you have a great view from your house, then your house is visible from a distance as well, and there may be visual impact issues to consider in addition to the usual access, drainage matters etc. Have a look through the County Development Plan to ensure you are not in a landscape protection zone or anything like that (although hills and Kildare don't normally go in the same sentence! )

Good luck with it.

Mellor

Corkblowin wrote: »

Isn't it the same issue with a standard 2 storey house where all the bedrooms are upstairs? House has to be visitable, not liveable to comply with the regs

Not really the same issue. Depends where the entrance is, the slope on site etc towards or away from the site access. You have to be able to walk to the entrance, and this path has to comply, this can be an issue on site that are severely sloped. Also its not ideal if lower level contains bedrooms if it is the only accessible part of the house

Starrgrrl

A hill is probably a bit of an exageration really. It's a definate slope that will
need a large retaining wall if we build the usual dormer. This way the retaining wall will be part of the house ( I think, I'm a complete novice but our achitech is very good and we have a builder).
There will be access on both levels. The front door will be at the bottom of the slope and large glass door of some kind at the top. I always picture is as an upside down L. There'll also be a path for access to the back doors I think. The slope starts at the Entrance of the site and goes up!
If anyone ever saw the 'hill house' in belfast on grand designs it's kinda like
that. Just about 568863 times smaller.
I'll post the sketches when the architech comes back with them.
And thanks for the good luck wishes! We've been refused twice in the area for a different project!

sydthebeat

Starrgrrl wrote: »

Hiya!
1st of which I'm sure will be many posts here!
We're in the very very early stages of planning to build on a gorgeous but elevated site in Kildare. Our hope is to build a split level home, basically 2 stories at the front and one at the back, kinda hugging the hill because we think this is the least intrusive and best way to build here. it'll be upside down, with the lower ground floor housing the bedrooms and the 1st floor the living area. We hope to have large slidding doors at the back opening onto the top of the hill.
Basically, we have a preplanning meeting at the end of this month and am wondering what issues you can see us coming up against planning wise? Local needs shouldn't be an issue as my boyfriend was born an raised about 100 yards away, elderly mother, local job etc. The site is a green field site not over looked and there's another house about 300 yards further down the road.
Also have anyone else experienced building a similar design?
Thanks in advance for any input you all have.

ive had experience with simlar applications in Laois.

possible issues:

1. elevated site
while it makes for fantastic view, you must realise that everywhere you can see, can see YOU!. therefore reducing the mass of the house will be an issue. Use natural finishing materials. landscaping will be paramount and you should include an intensive landscaping plan with the application

2. privacy.
as you will have the living accomodation on the first floor it makes sense to make use of balconies and roof desks etc. Therefore be careful not to impede on the privacy of existing accomodation in teh area.

3. special area of consevation / natural beauty
check to see if the site is located within these areas as they will have a huge impact as to whether you can get permission or not.

gman2k

Corkblowin wrote: »

planning a room at the entrance level that could be converted to a bedroom in the future if needs be is always a good idea.

It's not just a good idea, it's the law!


(I'm still seeing houses being built near me that don't comply with Part M - level access.)

muffler

gman2k wrote: »

It's not just a good idea, it's the law!

I think the poster was referring to a bedroom with disabled access at a later date as opposed to visitable living rooms now.

BryanF

Starrgrrl wrote: »

Hiya!

Basically, we have a preplanning meeting at the end of this month and am wondering what issues you can see us coming up against planning wise? Local needs shouldn't be an issue as my boyfriend was born an raised about 100 yards away, elderly mother, local job etc. The site is a green field site not over looked and there's another house about 300 yards further down the road.
Also have anyone else experienced building a similar design?
Thanks in advance for any input you all have.

If i was you, Id would go with my architect to the pre-planning, translating planners can sometimes prove difficult.

It very difficult to outline any further issues you will face as, everything is related to the site, proposed dwelling and location.

your partner must be living in the family home or very close for the past 7 years min.

good luck with the application