Tramore Local Area Plan - Waterford County Council

Chapter 11: Development Control Standardseconomically repaired, and a sustainable use can be found. The rehabilitation ofan existing building should generally be considered a more sustainable optionthan its demolition and construction of a replacement building. It allows thebuilding to continue to contribute to the character of the area in which it issituated. The demolition of the interior and the retention of just the façade willalso not be encouraged.Alterations and ExtensionsAlterations and extensions to Protected Structure are inevitable but it isimportant that the proposed changes do not result in damage to the specialcharacter of the structure. Extensions to Protected Structures are generallypermitted in principle, subject to compliance with certain conservationstandards. The scale and massing of the proposed extension should not dominatethe original structure. Owners of protected structures who wish to alter orrenovate their properties, are encouraged to consult with the Council at the initialpre-planning stage. The Council will adopt a partnership approach to theappropriate renovation and improvement of protected structures, vernacularheritage and historic buildings by offering advice to property owners.Any proposed works to a Protected Structure should be in accordance with bestconservation practice. This is based on principles such as keeping a building inuse, protecting the character and special interest of the building, promotingminimum intervention, respecting earlier alterations of interest, repair rather thanreplace, honesty of repairs and reversibility of alterations. The PlanningAuthority will take account of the conservation guidelines issued by the Dept. ofthe Environment and Local Government and the R.I.A.I. All proposals foralterations or renovations will be submitted to Duchas for comment.If in the opinion of the council, proposed works have the potential to alter thecharacter a Protected Structure significantly, an Architectural ImpactAssessment may be required.RecordingAny works to a Protected Structure have the potential to affect the character ofthe structure. To provide for sustainable reuse of a building, certain elementsmay be altered/ lost. A full record of the building before works and a statementof value and significance should be prepared.Waterford County Council shall encourage the retention and development of thetraditional skills base in County Waterford with respect to traditional skills suchas thatching, stonework, etc.11.17 ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA & VERNACULARHERITAGEIn an Architectural Conservation Area, protection is placed on the exterior of allstructures, and the carrying out of works to the exterior of a structure will onlybe exempted development only if those works will not materially affect thecharacter of the area. However, a declaration under Section 57 of the 2000 Act96