Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council

10.6 Heights Strategy Diagram
A diagram has been produced that sets out appropriate height ranges for the
various character areas in the town. The heights on the diagram are shown in
storey height ranges. This unit of measure has been adopted for ease of
comprehension rather than using dimensions in metres. Storey heights are taken
as residential floor to floor levels of around 3m with commercial buildings at an
assumed 5m approximate floor to floor level. Allowance should be made for roof
forms rising and set back above these storey heights: Typically these heights are
in the region of 3m for housing and 4-5m for non residential uses, dependant on
the building type and form.
Objectives
● To ensure development sites adjoining established residential areas
provide adequate set backs, landscape tree screening barriers and
building height limits to protect existing residential amenity.
● To ensure that the height and massing of any new development does
not adversely affect any conservation area or protected
monument/structure including proscribed vistas and views.
● To ensure that all development does not have detrimental effects on
local microclimate, within or adjoining the development site, by
either inhibiting sunlight/daylight penetration or down draughts off
taller elements.
● To provide a limited number of strategically sited taller buildings on
selected key development sites that will contribute positively to the
current and future identity of Swords as a town.
● To provide higher density and increased height buildings around the
proposed Metro stops to take advantage of the arrival of Metro
North and the need to create a compact and sustainable form to an
expanded Swords.
● To plan height in relation to a cohesive urban structure and
respecting typical street width to height ratios of 1:1
● To retain and enhance the advantages that the height of the existing
landscape of mature trees has in mitigating scale changes between
different sites and building forms.
● To use height sensitively in building a distinctive skyline for the town,
so forming a key component of the identity of the ‘emerging green
city of Swords’.
10.7 Summary
In summary the Masterplan’s building heights strategy is based on established
urban design principles: Respect for the identity and character of the receiving
context, achieving sustainable densities in new developments, locating taller
buildings in appropriate locations within the Masterplan area and creating
attractive and pleasant open spaces and a quality public realm.
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