Scotframe have Designs on the Countryside!

Our unique “Rural Homes Collection” has been carefully designed and planned specifically for customers who are wishing to build their homes in Rural & Countryside locations.

Both government legislation and national/local initiatives have led to the introduction of a range of updated guidelines to inform and guide prospective self builders (together with builders and architects) as to how best design and plan for homes in the countryside.

Local planning offices in many areas are preparing detailed documents for such circumstances as may arise within their own planning area. You may wish to contact them to find out if this information is or will be available to you.

In this document, we give you a very brief "flavour" of some of the broader requirements which you will encounter.

Changing circumstances

One of the most significant changes in rural areas has been a rise in the number of people wishing to live in the accessible parts of the countryside while continuing to work in towns and cities within commuting distance. Others wish to live and work in the countryside. These trends derive from lifestyle choices and technological changes which allow working from home. More people are now also buying second or holiday homes. In addition, leisure and tourism businesses have been increasingly active, for example through timeshare and chalet developments. It is for planning authorities to assess these demands and decide how, and where, to accommodate them.

Opportunities
Some landscapes will probably have to accommodate considerable change in the coming years. This change needs to be planned and managed so that the effects are positive. Buildings in rural areas can often be seen over long distances and they are there for a long time. Careful design is essential. Traditional buildings can be an inspiration but new or imaginative re-interpretation of traditional features should not be excluded. Where possible, the aim should be to develop high quality modern designs which maintain a sense of place and support local identity.

Landscape
Scotland’s geological and climatic conditions have influenced vegetation, land use, settlement patterns, building methods and styles. This has led to a rich diversity of landscapes. These landscapes have different capacities to accommodate development. It is therefore crucial that the proposed location and siting of new housing considers the impact on the landscape, in terms of both immediate and wider surroundings. If a proper fit in the landscape is not achieved, then even a well designed building can fail. Overall, a well designed house must reflect the landscape in which it is set. It must be informed by and respond to it, rather than being a house which is designed without regard to the context and place within a site. Scotland’s most valued landscapes are recognized by a range of national and local designations.

These include National Parks, National Scenic Areas, local landscape designations (such as Areas of Great Landscape Value), Gardens and Designed Landscapes, Conservation Areas and the setting of listed buildings and Ancient Monuments. These identify areas that are mainly important for their scenic or cultural heritage but which may also be important for nature and recreation. In such places, planning authorities should take steps to encourage developments that respect the special combination of features for which an area has been designated. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), in partnership with local authorities across Scotland, has completed a suite of Landscape Character Assessments. These provide a more objective description of landscape, enabling a better assessment of how change will affect it. Related techniques, such as landscape capacity studies, can also help in exploring the ability or limits of different landscapes to successfully accommodate development in keeping with local landscape character.

Layout
The importance of layout within a site cannot be over stated. A good layout can enhance an individual house design; conversely, a bad layout can detract from a good design. When determining a site’s layout, consideration must be given to a range of natural and technical factors.

Topography: Sloping sites need careful consideration to allow a practical house design which does not look out of place. They can, however, give an opportunity to use the difference in levels to create an interesting and fitting building. This approach is much more appropriate than the use of platforms. In low-lying areas, flood risk needs to be addressed.

 

Orientation: Attention should be paid to established building lines and orientation of any buildings in the area. Overlooking should be avoided. The location and proximity to natural and built features, such as landmarks, can also influence layout.

 

Shelter: Layouts should try to avoid any unnecessary exposure to the elements, i.e. houses should shelter one another and generally be positioned to take account of the prevailing wind direction and to create a good microclimate.

 

Solar gain: Energy efficient layouts can help to maximise natural light and solar gain.

 

Views: Views to and from the site should be maximised, but not at the expense of good design.

 

Movement: Easily accessible links should be made for pedestrian and vehicular movement.

Design
High quality design must be integral to new development and local area differences must be respected. Traditionally, local climate and available materials have had a profound influence on the design of houses and have helped to create local area characteristics. Likewise, features and finishes can help connect, or disconnect, a house to its surroundings. Increasingly, however, design has been standardised across the countryside. The challenge therefore lies in encouraging designs which are distinctive and responsive to their setting. The overall aim should be to ensure that new housing is carefully located, worthy of its setting, and is the result of an imaginative, responsive and sensitive design process.

Materials
The use of inappropriate or too many materials can have a negative impact. The greater the use of local materials, the more the house may reflect aspects of the local character. This will also help to contribute to sustainability.

Details
The detailed aspects of rural house design show some general characteristics, although local guidance should stress any variations. Many of the typical attributes of the Scottish rural house, such as window size and setbacks, eaves and verges, dormer design, chimney stacks and porches are shaped by an often wet and windy climate. Overall, design details often need to be assessed on individual merits but excessive detailing and ornamentation should generally be avoided.