Additional Design Information Submission

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PLAANING APPLICATION: PA04/01878 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. To assist the Planning Committee it is perhaps most helpful to concentrate on how the design of the proposed dwelling will beneficially achieve environmental aims over a traditional design.

1. The coldest, north-west, elevation will be partially sunk into the natural contour of the plot to provide an added insulating factor.

1. This elevation will have a lower visual impact than a free-standing design. The simplicity of detail reflects the origins of Mavs rural dwellings.

1. A condition of the previous planning consent (01/01238) was that the (traditional style) dwelling be limited to one storey. This meant that the roof space was wasted and could not be used as a living area.

1. The new design (PA04/01878) utilizes the roof space to the full, and internally reflects the natural contours of the plot. It thus incorporates a greater efficiency in design and therefore the area of masonry and manufactured building material in build.

1. The roof area is proportionately larger than traditional design. This will demand a greater use of more natural materials - slates and timber to the roffers. It will incorporate the highest standards of insulation.

1. Large areas of generally south facing glazing, not present in traditional build, will provide enhanced passive solar gain.

1. The orientation of the house, falling between south-east and south-west, and the placement of windows, will maximise this during the hours of sunlight.

1. Such placement will reduce heat loss through the windows, together with a concomitant benefit through the reduced number of small windows facing north.

1. To maximise these potential benefits the (low-energy) glazing will have argon gas in the sealed cavity between the panes and low emissivity glass on the inner pane to reflect heat back into the living area (e.g. Pilkington low-e glass)

1. It is the intention, at a later stage in the life of the building, that the large south-facing roof area will be the 'platform' for the installation of photovoltaic tiles. The home's electrical needs could be generated from the free and inexhaustible energy of the sun. Such an innovation is much less likely with a traditionally designed roof.

1. To prevent overheating and rapid temperature drop at night, floors would be constructed from pre-cast concrete slabs, adding valuable thermal mass.

1. Incorporating all these measures in this design will mean less reliance on fossil fuel-generated heat sources (e.g. oil fired central heating). It will reduce pollution and reduce resource consumption.

1. The dwelling is designed for the site and the climate, making the most of natural resources and energy from the sun.

1. All buildings have an effect on the environment. We intend to recycle existing site materials as much as possible throughout the new building, minimizing any adverse effect.