Puckane Village Design Statement

Home , Nenagh, Puckane

PUCKANE

VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

DEC 2007

0 INTRODUCTION

CONTENTS

SECTIONS Page

1. INTRODUCTION 2

2. VILLAGE PROFILE 3

3. VILLAGE STRUCTURE 7

4. SETTING AND APPROACH 10

5. VILLAGE STREETSCAPE 15

6. BUILDINGS AND DETAILS 24

7. COMMUNITY ACTION LIST 30

8. YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY 31

1 INTRODUCTION

1.0 INTRODUCTION use alongside the County Development to respect and enhance, rather than 1.1 What is a VDS? Plan and Local Area Plans. The VDS compete with, the valued character The village of Puckane has a distinctive may also be used by the community to features that define the village. This will and diverse character, which is highly approach various funding organisations require careful consideration of how key valued by its local residents. As the village to fulfill various community aspirations elements (such as building design and continues to evolve, this process of change and desires. materials, street and plot arrangements, needs to be positively managed so that the road and footpath design, street furniture, unique qualities that contribute to the 1.2 Who is the VDS for? open spaces and landscape features, and village’s identity can be protected and This VDS is a valuable resource of important views) inter-relate at different enhanced, whilst managing future growth information about Puckane for reference levels of scale, and how they contribute to and new development. by individual householders and the wider context of the character of the businesses, builders, developers, village as a whole. A ‘Village Design Statement’ (or VDS for architects and statutory bodies. short) provides an account of the 1.4 How has the VDS been distinctive character of the village. The 1.3 How will the VDS work? produced? VDS helps all those involved with the This guidance should be viewed as a This VDS has been produced through an future planning and enhancement of the stimulus for encouraging any new extensive community consultation village to understand what is important to development or other proposals to programme, including an introductory local people and what aspirations the respect and enhance, rather than compete meeting, community workshop, and community has for the village. with, the valued character features that questionnaires. This has been in define the village. Rather, the document partnership with the residents of Puckane, Through a series of Design Guidelines, the highlights the unique qualities of North Tipperary County Council, and with VDS identifies what is worthy of architectural, historical and natural the support of The Heritage Council. protection and where improvements importance that contribute to the should be made. The VDS reflects the village’s character, and provides broad views and requirements of Puckane’s design guidelines to both safeguard its residents who participated in the VDS distinctive character and enhance quality process. of life within the village.

Although non-statutory, this VDS shall be These recommendations should be noted by North Tipperary County Council viewed as a stimulus for encouraging as supplementary planning guidance for any new development or other proposals

Puckane community workshop

2 VILLAGE PROFILE

2.0 VILLAGE PROFILE Puckane nestles between the unspoilt It should not be confused with the shores of Lough Derg and the bustling eponymous fictional village in Spike 2.1 Location and Profile shopping town of Nenagh. Milligan's novel Puckoon, though the A little inland from Lough Derg is novel and the village were probably both Puckane (Pocán), an attractive and busy The songwriter Shane MacGowan spent named after Puckane. village. Its traditional style cottages are much of his childhood here and has interesting and attractive. immortalised a number of local places in It is also sometimes (though rarely) spelt his songs. The village was also as Puckaun and is known as Pocán in the Puckane is a village in northern County mentioned in a well-known Christy Irish language. Tipperary, lying 10km north of Nenagh Moore song. and close to Lough Derg and Dromineer. 2.2 Population

Table 1: Population

1991 1996 2002 2006 Puckane* 256 269 239

Knigh 620 593 678 703 DED Western 6,146 6,487 7,449 8772 Area North 57,854 58,021 61,068 66,023 Tipperary * Figures quoted from local historian Daniel Grace

Table 1 shows the percentage population increase for Knigh District Electoral Division (DED) between 1991 and 2006. This demonstrates that during this period the population of the Knigh DED grew by 13.4%. In fact there has been a higher increase in population in Knigh between

3 VILLAGE PROFILE the 1996/2002 Census (14.3%) and the The church was built in 1859 and has a the winter than in the summer. While there 2002/2006 Census (3.7%). Harry Clarke studio stained glass may be a great many visitors during the window of interest. In 1957 Puckane month May to September, the village is The 2006 census reports a population of Grotto was blessed. quieter during the other months of the 239 for the village of Puckane which is a year. This should be respected in the scale decrease of 11.2% from the previous Peg's Cottage has stood at the heart of and type of development to be undertaken census. the sleepy, tranquil Tipperary village of in the future. Puckane for over 300 years. 2.3 Brief History 2000 Map of Puckane The village was the first to be chosen in Commercial interests are strong in the North Tipperary for the development of village, which is now one of a few with twelve Rent an Irish Cottage units in the its own main dealer garage. The village early 1970s. This development led to a also has two pubs and local grocery. Craft Shop being developed a little north of the village, which is still vibrant. The stone entrance once served as the main entrance to the former Johnstown House, built in 1770s and long demolished.

Puckane has a thriving community spirit, and it is clear the residents take great pride in the unspoilt nature of the village and the Old photo of residence surrounding landscape.

2.4 Village Life today Sports and recreation are well catered for Given that the settlement is a popular in the village. The surrounding landscape tourist destination it is subject to the is also suited for extensive walks, cycling, Early map of Puckane seasonal fluctuations associated with horse riding, and fishing in the lake. tourism. Puckane is a difference place in

4 VILLAGE PROFILE

2.5 Facilities and Services not mind traveling to use these. Were the The objective is to provide a template for Currently existing in the village are: village to expand, additional facilities future sustainable rural development. The Residents may need to be considered. application of appropriate planning and B & B’s design strategies can significantly lower Pubs 2.6 Environmental Issues energy consumption. This can be achieved Public Phone Kiosk There are recycling facilities in Puckane. by reducing heat loss, providing Post Box Currently residents can also use the ventilation control and the installation of Tidy Towns/Community Association facilities in the next village. efficient heating systems which take Sporting Facilities account of climate, site and the use of Recycling Facilities Pollution on land and in the river should sustainable alternatives to conventional Tourist Facilities be prevented. Vehicle emissions and air building methods. The end result can be a School quality should also be monitored. superior home that is more comfortable Church and convenient, with significantly reduced As in most villages the existing energy costs and which aims to be non- Kennedys Pub as designed sewerage system has limited capacity. polluting. and crafted by Craft Shop This is of serious concern to the community. Prior to the addition of new 2.7 Employment housing to the village sewage issues There are a number of small businesses in need to be addressed. the area, but most residents commute elsewhere for work. Zoning of land within The application of sustainable design the settlement plan for Puckane under the principles, which recognise energy Western Area Local Area Plan to allow for efficiency, lifetime cost of materials, employment uses such as commercial non-toxicity, wastewater treatment, and facilities enhance amenities for locals and water and waste reduction will produce tourists. buildings that are environmentally friendly. Guidelines on environmentally The need for facilities may be assessed in friendly buildings cannot be all- terms of the scale and character of the inclusive, but aim to pinpoint the main village and the amenities provided in the Post office, petrol station and banking considerations for the energy conscious near by areas of Dromineer and Nenagh. facilities can all be found within short architect/designer and user. These facilities may include health and distances, and generally the residents do beauty, heritage centre, gallery, café,

5 VILLAGE PROFILE antiques, bicycle shop, angling shop, open farm, workshops for fly fishing, painting, etc.

KEY POINTS • Thriving active community. • Current limited services and facilities. Any new development will need to include additional services. • Environmentally conscious community.

6 VILLAGE STRUCTURE

3.0 VILLAGE STRUCTURE from the road. The more modern houses Newer residential development takes the are detached and semi-detached and set 3.1 Shape of the village form of detached houses within cul-de- back further to accommodate parking. This is a historic village with a well sacs. A line of one-off detached houses defined and distinctive character and is has recently been built on the approach 3.4 New Development Areas centre around the core of the village. The road to the village. Several fields are zoned for development physical character of the village is E in the area, although this is dependent on dominated by cottages, stone wall The streets in the core of the village landowner’s intentions and the planning boundaries, mature trees and holiday maintain their original layout and are application process which is open to the developments (see following map). often quiet busy because they are local community participation. through routes for traffic. Also, current Puckane’s overabundance of traditional parking arrangements are ad hoc. The New development should respect the style cottages are interesting and existing on-street parking tends to traditional style and structure of the attractive. The village was the first to be conflict with pedestrians in nodal areas; village, and follow good practice. chosen in North Tipperary for the near the two pubs and at the school and development of twelve Rent an Irish Catholic Church. The issue of parking should be addressed Cottage units in the early 1970s. with planning applications for residential/ commercial/ leisure development. Parking The village is fairly tightly developed “We greatly cherish our village and may be accommodated off the road and around its centre. However, local people its quality of life and we would like to behind the buildings. consider the village to extend much farther maintain this and enhance it for to the southwest to include the GAA future generations”. KEY POINTS Quote from Submission on Issues grounds and the adjacent residential • Variety of building scales and Paper. development and southeast where there are patterns, mostly two storey and ribbons of residential development. detached or terraced. 3.3 Scale and Dominance • Individual buildings nestle 3.2 Street pattern and built form The village is currently developed at a inconspicuously in the surrounding Generally the original houses form a small low density and most of the buildings Puckane area. terrace, and one and two storey dwellings have a traditional vernacular character. • Potential for new development to front the road. Their vernacular style and provide a range of tourism-leisure- arrangement along the street is key to the The traditional buildings of the village recreational facilities for the village. character of the village centre. sit on the road, with some just set back

7 VILLAGE STRUCTURE

Village Areas Historic Core Residential Development Holiday Cottages Residential one-off Sports Facilities

8 VILLAGE STRUCTURE

3.5 Design Guidelines • provide village green/parks as should reflect existing styles and patterns The setting and views of the historically part of new development and an appropriate balance should be important Church, Grotto and Thatch • provide for new streetscape as maintained between residential areas and Cottages and distant views of Lough Derg part of new village centre green spaces within individual should be preserved and respected when development to provide and developments. Similarly, the proportion, considering the design and location of new enhance village character scale and design of buildings and materials development. used should compliment the existing village character. The monotony typical of The existing structure and shape of many modern residential developments Puckane should be respected as a product can be avoided through the use of a variety of the village’s evolution. New of building types and the careful use of development should be of a scale that does colour and other building features. not overwhelm or engulf this settlement pattern.

In line with the Specific Objectives of Western Area Local Area Plan new Puckane Church, Grotto and development should consider opportunities thatch cottages as designed to and crafted by Craft Shop. • improve pedestrian access and links around the village, Puckane has a strong rural tradition and • to provide and improve roads, within a small village accommodates a footpaths, traffic calming, public surprising level of diversity with regard lighting and signage. to house style and character. • protect and enhance the character of the approach roads to the village Therefore, all aspects of new including the earthen banks, developments in the village should have mature trees and stone walls. regard to this existing established and • provide and improve linkages via recognised character of the village. new access roads and footpaths as part of new development. Whether infill or new development, building orientation and plot layout

9 SETTING & APPROACH

4.0 SETTING & APPROACH

The local landscape is characterised by the rural agricultural open fields enclosed by Existing Walkways mature hedgerows, and patches of broadleaf Potential walkways woodland and coniferous planting.

Vistas Viewing Points

L2138

To Dromineer

R493 To Nenagh Recent Development comprising of detached properties set 10 back from the road. SETTING & APPROACH

4.1 Broad Landscape Setting Outside the village at Johnstown Gates The landscape is designated as an area of there is a craft shop, and surrounding the high amenity, which runs along the shores village there are a number of historic of Lough Derg. properties including Lodge House, Ballycraggan House, Lisduff, Kilodiernan, The junction of the main and Urra road in Rookview, Wood Park, and formally the village is about 62.8 metres above Johnstown House. The location of these Ordnance Datum, with the land rising to houses has influenced the historic about 67m a.o.d within the immediate development of Puckane in terms of origin vicinity of the village. To the south of the and development as a village. village the land inclines gradually towards Palaeozoic rocks. The southern side of Blackfort and beyond to become the Puckane lies a little inland from the shores the village rises and the northern side is Killadangan Hill at 123m a.o.d as the of Lough Derg, located in the scenic more lush with vegetation, and there are highest point in the immediate vicinity rolling hills. The soil is likely to be areas of deciduous woodland composed of till derived from Lower surrounding the village. 4.2 Important Views and Vistas The location of Puckane with the “It is the combination of the visual mix of working land, low-key housing, a small amount of surrounding gentle and steeper hillsides commercial property, the distinctive sound of rural life and the sense of relative peace, security provides great vantage points throughout and community which give Puckane its character”. the area. Quotation from submission on Proposed VDS. The rural setting with rolling hillsides and deciduous and coniferous woodland obscures some parts of the village, and as you travel through the area the landscape opens out to give some great vistas.

One of the most recognisable sites on the lake is the Church, prominent in the landscape, provides an important landmark for users of the lake.

11 SETTING & APPROACH

The thatch cottages are landmarks for the acting as important wildlife habitats. The trees and associated green areas village on approach to the village from Local residents value these existing around the Church, the Urra Road and in Coolbawn. The existing landscaping and mature planting features as important front of the Thatch Cottages are the main mature trees offers a sense of tranquility character features, and wish them to be open spaces in the village. and charm. retained and enhanced. The key to maintaining the visual Travelling up into the village on the Urra Seasonal displays such as the many character of the village is to maintain the Road, hedgerows obscure most views, but daffodils, which surround the area in important open spaces around it. It is past the GAA Grounds the road bends spring, add colour and interest and important to protect the setting of the gradually towards the village and a should be encouraged. Grotto and existing trees on the Coolbawn picturesque view of Lough Derg opens Road and open up potential walks around out. 4.4 Important Open Spaces the village and provide new open spaces. Important open spaces need to be managed and maintained appropriately, and the parties with responsibility for this maintenance need to be identified. Details of the management and maintenance of open spaces, roadways, paths, etc. associated with new developments should be submitted at planning application stage.

There are also good views travelling down on the back road from Church onto the Urra Road. 4.5 Permeability and Connectivity Permeability and connectivity is important 4.3 Planting for pedestrians and cyclists even where There are many mature trees and intersections or junctions have had road hedgerows within and around the village. closures. Share-ways can also be a means The canopies and foliage provide of assisting permeability and connectivity. important green backdrops, as well as

12 SETTING & APPROACH

A number of elements were identified • Open Space Network accompanied by visual impact assessments within the village that were of sufficient and designs should ensure that any importance to feed into the overall KEY POINTS development shall have a minimal impact character and setting as follows: • Lake and hillsides give on all vistas defined in this document. • Gently undulating landform is a opportunities for views over the whole Visual impact assessments should include distinctive feature within the area. village. photo montages and photo renderings to • The lake as a village edge. • Broadleaf trees, hedgerows, adequately convey any development in • Varied topography provides an planting, and open fields are essential context. opportunity to make a major to the village’s character. contribution to the public realm • Encourage tree, shrub, and New development should be of a low and reinforce the identity of the bulb planting in the newer areas of the density and a location that consolidates area. village. and strengthens the core of the village. • Avoid development that The vision for the VDS is to facilitate and encroaches on the views and vistas. Amenity/Open Space areas should be provide for ease of movement through the retained and well maintained with the village and to promote connectivity and 4.6 Design Guidelines addition of lighting and seating to permeability. This must be addressed by New development, infrastructure and encourage their use and ensuring the way of: land management should respect the safety of users. The current green areas at • Improving, developing and attractive, scenic ‘rural’ character and the rear of the Church should be protected prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist distinctive landscape setting of the from any infringement and maintained for routes. village and avoid visual intrusion into the enjoyment of all. • Improving and developing bus key views to and from the village, services within the area. especially looking towards the lake. It Developments should provide for a high • Managing parking provision. should avoid direct or indirect damage to level of connectivity and permeability, to encourage walking and cycling and to • Limiting car access to one-way. sites of known ecological and archaeological interest surrounding the promote linkages between areas. Each element of movement is layered to village, including hedgerows and trees, make a pattern of development in relation ringforts and enclosures. Walking routes in and around the village to desire lines between uses: should be established wherever possible to provide improved access to the • Road Hierarchy New developments should be integrated countryside, including access to and along • Pedestrian Permeability into the landscape such as to maintain all the forest north of the Nenagh Road. • Linkages to the countryside vistas. Development proposals should be

13 SETTING & APPROACH

Promotion of routes should be encouraged Close liaison between all groups in the Whether infill or new development, by means of improved signage and local village including the Tidy Towns building orientation and plot layout should tourism initiatives. Committee should be maintained to reflect existing styles and patterns. ensure all resources are used to Similarly, the proportion, scale and design Existing established planting, including maximum effect. of buildings should compliment the mature trees should be preserved and existing village character. managed to maintain them in good health. New development should learn from and New and replacement planting in the improve on what has already been done - village should be of species appropriate to it should take its proposed form and the location and scale of the space. Open scale from the existing village structure, lawn areas around developments should be and new development should innovate planted with trees where possible. by reinterpretation – making it look new and local. Landscaping adds greatly to an area and should be encouraged. The use of appropriate native trees, as a cost effective and environmentally friendly method of ‘livening up’ and visually improving the character of areas is recommended. In particular, the screening of unattractive features such as ESB boxes or telephone exchanges is encouraged. Where undertaking such works always liaise with the appropriate body.

The Western Area Local Area Plan sets out briefly a number of native species that are commercially available and can be appropriately used in planting schemes. The planting of native species is important particularly as they play an important role in maintaining local wildlife and ecology.

14 VILLAGE STREETSCAPE

5.0 VILLAGE STREETSCAPE and viable in a modern context but wall or pavement) of these buildings all unspoilt. The whole street should be tend to run parallel to the edge of the road. 5.1 What is a ‘Streetscape’? given the same attention. The term ‘streetscape’ refers to the look of Continued improvements to the visual a particular road, regarding the 5.2 Street Elements appearance of some buildings should be arrangement and design of Within the village core, the main road encouraged, perhaps with the provision of • plots, demonstrates a strong sense of enclosure floral displays (such as window boxes, and • buildings and materials, reflecting a distinctive ‘traditional’ wall-mounted baskets) to provide seasonal • roads and footpaths, character, created by a dense interest and enliven the village • street furniture, arrangement of plots and buildings that streetscapes. • open spaces and planting. have a close relationship with the design Attractive and coherent streetscapes and layout of the road. 5.3 Street Furniture happen when all of these features reinforce The style and location of street furniture in and work with one another. This creates a near-continuous building the village is generally regarded as line, with occasional gaps providing satisfactory. Seating on the green The aim should be to consider the whole glimpses out to the wider landscape areas/open space areas would be well used streetscape in the same way as we consider setting. These gaps also provide access and appreciated by locals and tourists. the conservation of an individual historic to the rear of the property. The roof Street furniture refers to such items as building. Building conservation specialists ridge, front facade and any front litter bins, benches, picnic areas, bollards, ensure that historic buildings are useful boundary treatments (such as a garden railings, lighting, signposts, CCTV, electricity substations and wiring, cycle stands, post boxes and any other utility items found within the public realm of streets and roads. Such items are generally owned and managed by different bodies, which can give rise to a lack of co- ordination, and their placement can be over-influenced by meeting road standards rather than pedestrian requirements.

15 VILLAGE STREETSCAPE

16 VILLAGE STREETSCAPE

5.3.1 Design Guidelines Similarly, street furniture should be to the ease with which a mobility impaired Clutter is made up of lots of bits and provided with cognisance for the person or person with a pram or pieces. The only way to reduce clutter in existing street layout and style. wheelchair can realistically navigate. the streetscape is to look at each individual • Street furniture such as lamp item and consider whether it really is standards should compliment the area and necessary and whether it can be removed, in general overly ornate designs should be hidden, replaced in a less noticeable avoided. position or at least painted a less obtrusive colour.

Local residents put forward several suggestions, including ideas for overhead electricity wiring to be accommodated underground wherever and whenever possible, and for the provision of more coordinated cast iron or heritage-style street In general, the provision of street furniture and traditional and ‘old worlde’ furniture can raise the somewhat street lighting to reflect the historical and difficult question of maintenance. The rural character of the village. variety of ‘shareholders’ in this aspect of • the ‘streetscape’ including private A schedule of maintenance should residential owners, private commercial be drawn up with particular references to ventures, the ESB and the County painting and regular maintenance. • Council makes the organisation and co- A co-ordinated approach to ordination of design and maintenance providing these facilities throughout the often difficult. village should be considered. In particular, a uniform approach should be taken to the However, there are a number of key provision of lamp standards, seating, litter principles to be observed: bins and any fencing or boundary • Temporary and permanent street treatment with the historic core of the furniture should be organised to village. • minimise clutter. This is important in The Tidy Towns Committee relation not only to appearances but also should be consulted.

17 VILLAGE STREETSCAPE

5.4 Surfacing adequately drained, and without hollows Materials for Primary Neighbourhood Roads and paved areas impact greatly on where puddles may form. Roads the streetscape. Streets in the village are • blacktop macadam road surface generally tarmac with cul-de-sacs Material for Cul-de-sacs and Mews with concrete kerbs generally gravel. Road edges are poorly • combined surface for roads and • kerbside parking maintained and generally in poor repair footpaths, using block paviors or • grass margin for tree planting and often without footpaths. coloured macadam • street tree planting (min. size 12- Similarly, there are a number of locations • low level boundaries to public 14cm girth) to provide structure – such as the road edges, where the poor areas (plinth wall and railings) and enclosure quality of roads or cracked pavements – • continuity of 'family' of street • high quality boundary treatment to due again to heavy traffic volumes, reduce furniture including seating and private (walls) and public areas the overall quality of the street. bollards (plinth wall and railings) • street tree planting where • continuity of 'family' of street appropriate furniture including bus shelters, • tree and shrub planting to visible seating, litter bins etc. Uneven surfacing private areas (front gardens etc.) 5.5 Footpaths & Roads Footpaths are rare throughout the village and vary in appearance, width and materials.

5.4.1 Design Guidelines A good road surface for walking, cycling and driving contributes to both comfort and safety. The surface should be

Lack of Footpath

18 VILLAGE STREETSCAPE

used safely and easily by everyone who grass berms, street furniture, The new and old pathways do not always is likely to walk it’. carriageway light poles, trees and link up or extend any great distance road signs throughout the village. This is an Footpaths away from the kerb in major • ensure all renewal or upgraded especially important issue in relation to roads are preferred because of safety footpaths will provide a minimum safety. issues and visual amenity of the width of useable footpath streetscape. Alternative designs that • use materials that can be sourced provide for better stormwater for the intended life of the footpath management are encouraged. asset • use the texture and colour of Design considerations of all footpaths materials to provide interest in new will: or upgraded streets • design and maintain surfaces to • ensure that materials used in high be stable, firm, even, and slip volume pedestrian locations are of resistant to ensure safety for all the highest quality and amenity users of footpaths • ensure pedestrian/cyclist priority is • design footpaths with the clearly indicated at vehicle principle of enhancing accessible crossings. journeys • ensure footpath designs consider linkages to kerb and channel, stormwater, vehicle crossings,

5.5.1 Design Guidelines In an ideal world, all footpaths would be clear and accessible throughout their length, but unfortunately this is not always the case.

Walkers vary immensely in agility. Please apply the test ‘Can this right of way be Crazy pavement

19 VILLAGE STREETSCAPE

5.6 Lighting 5.6.1 Design Guidelines Cornices, windows, doorways, columns With the need for extensions and For a lighting scheme to be successful, and so on can be picked out with small, improvements to footpaths, street lighting we need to understand the way in which narrow-beam, close-set luminaires, leaving needs to be considered. This should be the architecture - including buildings and the rest in relative darkness. As well as limited to the key areas of the village, as townscape features - affect the character enhancing the architectural form, this light pollution to the surrounding rural of the external space which we occupy. largely avoids glare to users and visitors. area is a concern. A well designed scheme can offer security, drawing attention to key 5.7 Signs However, low lighting along the minor elements and developing a new character Signs should be clear and accurate, and roads near houses may need to be to the space, or it can be modest, in appropriately placed. Presently some signs considered for safety reasons. sympathy with the existing architecture. around the village are ambiguous, for In both cases shadows and darkness are example the signs on the Grotto. as important as light.

Too many signs on one post can be confusing and unclear.

One approach is to light only the most Signs – both commercial and road signage, interesting features of a facade: after all, can have a particularly strong impact on why draw attention to the boring bits? the quality of a streetscape.

20 VILLAGE STREETSCAPE

makes walking around the village In general, advertising in the village does dangerous. Speed restrictions and not detract from the visual quality of the calming methods are currently lacking. area.

5.7.1 Design Guidelines Place names and signage should reflect local trends and traditions.

Appropriate signage of amenity areas – such as indicating walks and trails, is encouraged, as is the on-going use of walking path maps and information packs. Traffic Calming Measures Signs at the approach into a village should • Raised Junction Platforms be clearly visible and made from an • Small Radii Corners with Over- appropriate material. However, these Also of concern for pedestrian safety is runable Strips should not be excessively dominant or the blind bend in the approach road, as • Surface Treatments bright. Within the village, the retention of vehicles tend to speed around the corner • On Street Parking bi-lingual street signs should be into the village. • Pull-out/set out areas/islands encouraged.

5.8.1 Design Guidelines

New signage should mimic the small Traffic calming measures and enhanced 5.9 Parking proportions of older signs. Metal and pavements to improve pedestrian safety There are is no public parking area with wood should be used in preference to should be a high priority for plastic. implementation throughout the village, especially on the approach roads, at the 5.8 Traffic junction near the Grotto and at the Traffic is a big problem in Puckane, Church and School where provision is especially at the school during peak hours required for a safe drop-off and and in the holiday season. Apart from the collection area and for turning of school width of the roads, the speed of traffic bus.

21 VILLAGE STREETSCAPE designated and lined car parking spaces provided within the village, 5.10.1 Design Guidelines Attractive, safe and comfortable outdoor In the main part of the village, where the spaces should be created within the public houses have little or no setback, parking is realm. These should be permeable, easy to difficult. Back lanes may alleviate this in access, and include provision for some places, and should be considered in pushchair users and those with mobility any new development. impairments. Such spaces should have appropriate paving, lighting, seating and There is no designated parking areas for signage features, which compliment the bicycles or motorbikes. character of Puckane.

5.9.1 Design Guidelines 5.10 Boundary Treatment Modern walls tend to be constructed from Parking Areas should be identified, sign Within the central village area few breezeblock. These can look bare and posted and designated and lined for residential properties have private front unsightly but can be greatly enhanced by bicycles, motorbikes and cars. The sign gardens. Therefore direct frontage onto careful planting of appropriate native shall be the standard parking sign, the street is characteristic in these areas, trees. showing a white letter P on a blue with small walls containing small front background on reflectorised material. gardens.

The most important boundary walls in the village are those of the cottage, which are a dominant and attractive feature. These walls consist of natural stone and are well maintained.

Other un-coursed stone walls are evidenced in the village and these tend to use locally sourced material. These are attractive and many remain. Where they do exist they should be carefully maintained and repaired as required.

22 VILLAGE STREETSCAPE

KEY POINTS • Traffic calming measures such as Table 1 Characteristic Features These speed restrictions signage, sensibly should be maintained in existing placed narrowing or rumble strips buildings and complimented by new could be considered. development. • Provision of adequate footpaths Relationship with the countryside Table 2 Uncharacteristic Features throughout the village, with associated Clusters of Single and Two-Storey Where possible, these features should be lighting. dwellings on short cul-de-sacs • Overhead wires are unsightly and avoided in both existing and new Painted Plinths should be placed underground where developments. possible. Use of natural stone Flat roofs • Parking is difficult in the older parts White or limited palette of bright colours Red brick finishes painted on plaster finished building of the village and has to be on roads Painting or stone facing of original facades facades which can cause obstructions. uPVC doors and windows and doors • Provision for parking off road, Significant place names, e.g. Kennedy’s, Swing-out windows in all buildings behind or alongside buildings should be Peg’s Cottage, etc. made where possible. Dark colours on door and window Removal of render surrounds Use of strong colours as the primary The Design Guidelines are based on a Wooden windows and doors with a colour on building facades thorough analysis of the qualities and vertical emphasis Inappropriate place names characteristics of Puckane which Plastic and corporate shopfronts contribute to its distinctive identity, and Uniform roof pitches (while possibly which are appreciated and valued by accommodating variations in height) Overhead wiring local residents. Chimney stacks Large-scale and plastic signage Thatch and slate roofs Removal of and re-organisation of The design guidelines aim to preserve Native species and planting building facades and enhance the important character Subtle signage using wood, stone and features identified within the VDS, and small metal signs as appropriate seek to encourage proposals for new Traditional pub/shopfronts with development to be based upon a advertisements painted directly onto the considered understanding of the facade village’s unique character.

23 BUILDINGS AND DETAILS

6.0 BUILDINGS AND DETAILS • Front gable of snecked limestone • Coloured and stained glass with skew vertical joints and windows and timber matchboard 6.1 Buildings and Features of stone plinth. doors. Interest • Diagonal buttresses with • Marble reredos to altar end. Puckane has a diverse and varied built pinnacles to all corners. • Snecked limestone boundary wall environment, which has evolved over the • Rendered walls elsewhere, with with cut stone piers and cast-iron years. Although few buildings and sites in buttresses to nave. gate. the village are of regional architectural and • Cut stone date plaque over historical interest, they have played an entrance. important role in the evolution of the • Pointed-arch openings with village. chamfered limestone surrounds with hood mouldings. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) has listed Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Chapel as a site of architectural and historical interest. It is highly valued by the local community and should be sensitively preserved and maintained as part of the local distinctive character, sense of place, and cultural heritage of Puckane for future generations.

It is a detached T-plan gable-fronted church, dated 1859. Its main features include: • two-bay side elevations to nave, • single-bay transepts and modern two-bay single-storey lean-to sacristy to north-west elevation Saint Patrick's Church is enhanced by • Pitched artificial slate roofs with many artistic and architectural features stone bellcote and cross to front such as the diagonal buttresses, hood and cross finials to other gables. mouldings and coloured and stained glass.

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Located at the south end of the village of the last century with minor changes and Puckane, the church occupies a dominant extensions. Many of the original There are very good examples of original location in the surrounding landscape openings remain in these buildings and timberwork and ancillary features such as when seen from the southern approach many retain their original sash windows. ridge tiles that show the richness, style and road. Doors have also largely been retained. skills of the original builders.

6.2 Traditional Many of the walls and finishes of the older Puckane is a relatively small village with buildings remain with roughcast renders or the historical buildings based around the dash most used. These often have modern main street. The village was the first to be painted finishes applied today. The chosen in North Tipperary for the external finish to several older buildings development of twelve Rent an Irish has been removed to expose their original Cottage units in the early 1970s. This stone construction. development led to a Craft Shop being developed a little north of the village, which is still a strong tourist attraction.

Pat’s Cottage is set on a small piece of land on main street and Peg's Cottage has also stood at the heart of the village for over 300 years.

The roofs are generally pitched and There are a many early houses from the several buildings retain their natural slates 19th and 20th century surviving. These and ridge tiles with traditional guttering. older houses and buildings tend to have been repaired, extended and reused over

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The older buildings lines usually front the and the proportion of elements and road directly with little or no garden materials used. frontage, the older buildings are generally located in centre of village. Unusually the KEY POINTS village does have a church but does not act • Shape, size, proportion, as a focus to the village. The Grotto is materials and colours should all be more of a focus/meeting point. considered in the construction of new buildings, extensions, windows and doors in the village. • The design of new development 6.4 Variation and Innovation in should seek to enhance visually and New Development physically the character of Puckane by Modern design can play an essential role using the prevailing architectural within the traditional streetscape, by detailing and appropriate local contributing an element of variety, so materials as a stimulus for creative long as it is based upon a careful interpretation. consideration of the main characteristics found locally. 6.5 Design Guidelines Design proposals for new development 6.3 Newer Buildings Subtle variations in the design of should respect the local characteristics of Later residential development in the buildings and their key elements is the site and its wider context, by working village typically consists of semi-detached desirable in creating an interesting and with rather than against key features and detached dwelling with simple attractive streetscape and in perpetuating including the existing contours of the site, footprint, rendered walls, and roof tiles. an identity for the village. lake, and established boundaries. Set in larger plots, these buildings are set Development should be adapted to the site back from the road line, with separate It is essential that such variation is based and its natural features and characteristics, entrances or and have access via a cul-de- within limits, and on the careful and not the site adapted to the sac to the local road. consideration of a common design style. development. New buildings should respect the strict In terms of materials these are usually relationship between types of New developments should be phased in simple rendered finish with modern construction (i.e. stone or blockwork) pace with improvements to local windows in both material and style. infrastructure, village facilities and

26 BUILDINGS AND DETAILS services, such as the sewage system, roads, Property owners should be encouraged established character of the area and pavements, lighting, open space and to retain, maintain, and restore original compliment existing buildings and styles. community facilities. vernacular and architectural details (such as ornate window frames and stone Where possible, un-used materials from The established patterns of development work, roof slates, rendered wall finishes older buildings should be recycled for re- within the village, including levels and etc) as important character features of use. road layout, should be used to guide the the village. design of new development proposals. Building Maintenance Careful consideration should be given to The total energy used in development Building maintenance plays an essential complementing the pattern and density of should be minimised as far as possible to role in ensuring the built tradition of the adjacent plot arrangements, building lines, encourage sustainable development village is protected. This is important for setback levels, plot enclosure, building practices in line with government all village buildings. scale and massing, proportion of initiatives and current legislation. This architectural features and the should encourage the use of locally All owners of buildings in the village height/pitch/ridge of roofs. sourced, ‘environmentally friendly’ and should appreciate the importance of energy efficient materials for maintenance through regular painting, Within the historic core of the village, construction as well as minimise running retention of boundaries and original development should aim to complement costs. features is important in preserving the visually and physically the established village’s character. traditional character of the buildings. Alterations to Existing Buildings All works undertaken on an existing Materials The Church, water pump, traditional building should reflect the character of The type of materials to be used in new buildings and Grotto should be conserved the building and its vicinity. In development or improvements to existing and maintained as key assets of the particular, the building style should be properties should: village. reflected through the façade elements – (i) fit in with the prevailing character of such as windows, doors, etc. Roof styles the village, and be designed to reflect and and pitches should similarly compliment respect nearby colours, textures, materials, the existing structure. shapes, styles and proportions; (ii) take account of other materials used in The use of appropriate materials is the immediate vicinity; critical and all aspects such as - texture, (iii) utilise materials for extensions which colour, proportion, etc. should reflect the match those of the existing property;

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(iv) ensure that replacement windows and doors respect the age and character of the New development designs should avoid The use of brick and concrete blocks is existing building - in particular, the use of monotonous repetition by inclusion of mostly confined to the recently uPVC is considered to be inappropriate for subtle variation, and should use constructed buildings New buildings use in a designated historically or materials, which compliment the should have some sort of render (either architecturally important building; established variants of design, silhouette, coloured, white or pebble-dashed) to (v) encourage the re-use of appropriate scale, density, materials and colour conceal the use of brick and blocks and building materials from buildings which within the village. should compliment existing buildings. have been unavoidably demolished. External Renders Roof Features & Construction This is the main feature of many of the Materials characteristic buildings in the village. Roof construction styles and materials Traditionally these would have been have a direct association to the lime based renders that would have been predominant building construction type. painted with lime washes. Today these are often replaced with harder cement The most common verge detail for roofs based renders with modern synthetic within the village is a barge edge to the paint systems. These are both physically slate and render or walling. harder and can look sharper compared to the softer and subtler colours available Windows & Door Openings with lime washes. In most buildings in the village, the door openings are vertically aligned, which is Lime based renders should be particularly important on buildings with Extreme caution encouraged and in any event the external small facades. On smaller houses and should be exercised renders should be in keeping the existing cottages, first floor windows are often set in combining character of the village. just below the eaves line, with only the different external top-plate or several courses of stone or materials in the Wall Construction brick over the openings. Most window same building – in Within the historical parts of the village openings are also vertically orientated. general there should (such as the main road) the majority of Recent development has been designed be one principal the buildings have a render coat to the with this in mind and this trend should be external material. underlying construction. encouraged.

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advertisements should therefore work The type of door proposed should suit within the overall form and structure of a the building type and the position of the building and should be subservient to it. door within the building. Simple vertical plank doors are generally suited to A shopfront should suit the type and style smaller vernacular type buildings and of the building as a whole. If for example, moulded panel doors to larger houses. the building is symmetrical, the design of Glazing on doors should follow the same the shopfront should maintain the overall pattern as the windows. The use of symmetry. uPVC is not considered appropriate.

Shopfronts Signage Cills The over-riding principle for the design A range of window of shopfronts and the design and cills are found in placement of advertisements and signs the village all of should be restraint. The aim should be to which relate to the create an environment in which the walling material. buildings and activities themselves are The important the principle attraction and visual characteristic is the interest, not the advertisements and profile and signs. Shopfronts, signs and thickness of the front edge or face.

Window Frames & Door Leafs Illumination of Buildings The window frame should be set back External lighting of buildings and signs from the face of the building to give a should normally be avoided, but the shadow line. The presence and design of sensitive and selective lighting of key glazing bars should be suited to the features such as the Church and Grotto, opening size, the position of the window and key distinctive buildings should be in the building, and the overall form of the encouraged. Light fittings should be as house. small and unobtrusive as possible.

29 COMMUNITY ACTION LIST

7.0 COMMUNITY ACTION LIST Providing for the Local Community Throughout public information sessions a There should be a coordinated Existing and new community facilities for number of issues arose about which the programme to increase pedestrian safety all ages should be developed in line with local community felt extremely strongly. through adequate provision of street future growth and development of the While some of these suggestions are lighting, pavements and cycle paths, village, including provision of services for beyond the remit of the VDS they are particularly in the vicinity of widely the elderly, and space and facilities for nonetheless included as part of a used public areas such as the pub/grocers children and teenagers. comprehensive community ‘Action List’. and community fields.

Community Action List 1. In the absence of a off-street parking, some measures should be employed to reduce the dominance of traffic in the village. 2. Additional pedestrian crossings are required particularly from the GAA ground to the Tennis Grounds. 3. There is a need to provide defined short-term and long-term parking areas, especially for the peak time at Church and School. There is the possibility of reserved parking for short-term parking at the school only with a 'Pay and Display' system brought in. Similarly, commuter and long term parking needs should be met by the provision of a suitable parking area. 4. Action should be taken immediately to reverse the decline of key areas and buildings within the village. In particular, the County Council should act for the preservation of the village’s built environment. 5. There is no dedicated children’s play facility in the village and this would be a welcome addition to the area. 6. New development is welcome but services and infrastructure should be provided to ensure these integrate with the physical and social environment. 7. The heritage and tourism potential of the area should be realised by the development of heritage trails and information points. 8. An integrated plan should be drawn up for the development of footpaths and roads in light of the damage caused by passing traffic. This plan should consider the need to ‘standardise’ the appearance of paved areas with the used of appropriate materials. 9. Where buildings fall into disuse or are under-utilised their possible use as a community facility should be investigated. 30 8.0 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY

The younger people of the village had the opportunity to draw or write about their village.

This Village Design Statement, undertaken in partnership with the community of Puckane, was produced by North Tipperary County Council, with support from The Heritage Council.

For further information, please contact: North Tipperary County Council, Forward Planning Section, Civic Offices, Limerick Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

Tel: 067-44652 Fax: 067-44654 www.northtipperary.ie

December 2007