01 Planning Statement
Tamarisk, Kirk Michael
Planning and Design Statement
Existing Dwelling
Main Road is mainly a street of two storey, rendered properties with tiled sloped roofs. However, Tamarisk breaks this pattern by being a single storey dormer bungalow with a roof height lower than the neighbouring dwellings. We feel the existing building is not in keeping with the nature of the street even though it conforms to the suggested building line.
The site benefits from great views over the Irish sea and evening light to the rear of the property. There are also great views to the Kirk Michael hills to the East. As a single storey building these views are compromised.
The building itself is very inefficiently planned internally and the fabric of the building is dated and thermally inefficient also. Our client has limited mobility and specific access requirements including wheelchair access and the need for a hydrotherapy pool. The existing property on site is very limiting for our client in this respect.
Proposed Dwelling
Our new proposed dwelling is designed around our clients specific mobility requirements whilst being respectful to the areas planning requirements. Our proposed dwelling is designed to fit discreetly within the existing street context. Being a two storey building it follows the roof heights of its neighbours. Materials are similar, being rendered with a sloping tiled roof. The building follows the established building line and makes use of the existing vehicular and pedestrian access, parking arrangements are unchanged from the existing building.
The site sits within the Kirk Michael conservation area and we have endeavoured to follow local design cues - tiled sloping roofs with chimneys. Even though a working chimney was not required we have designed a chimney to be a part of the buildings heating and ventilation systems. This will work together with solar panels and other equipment to create a sustainable and energy efficient building as part of the buildings environment control systems.
The gabled shape of the building from the front enables good views through the site as required in the design guidance. The gables also take advantage of the views to the front and rear and are cohesive with the immediate neighbour to the North and other dwellings locally. Our front and rear gables also work to provide passive solar gain to the building and provide an ideal area for South facing solar panels
Accessibility Strategy
The building has been designed for our clients long term requirements. The accessibility strategy starts with level access to the Ground floor from the site. All the circulation zones are generous to allow free movement of a wheelchair. The building is designed to be used without the need for changing levels very often, there is a ground floor master suite which is immediately connected to a Hydrotherapy pool. This is very important for our clients long term physiotherapy requirements. There will also be a wheelchair accessible lift included in the building, ensuring it will meet the longer term mobility requirements.
