Master Plans

The development of major sites requires the ability to think on a grand scale and to handle issues involving the impact on the landscape, vehicular and pedestrian movement, land use distribution and the urban design strategy.

The practice has been selected by a number of national developers to prepare Master Plans as the pre-cursor for negotiations with the local planning authority and the submission of detailed planning proposals.


Projects

Premier Park, Portlaoise
Kilminchy, Portlaoise
Being located at the confluence of major roads from Cork, Limerick and Dublin, Portlaoise has been designated a regional growth centre. It is also served by a main railway line to the capital city. As such, it has become the focus of Government investment in the form of offices for the Ministry of Agriculture and Electricity Board as well as hospitals, a prison and education facilities.

In order to accommodate the increase in population that has accompanied the new investment, a self-contained neighbourhood of about 60 hectares in area has been created at Kilminchy on the town's north western outskirts.

When granted planning permission the mixed development comprised over 800 dwellings, a 110 bed hotel and conference centre, an 80 bed nursing home and 50 retirement homes. In addition, areas were reserved for a primary school and extensive open space amounting to over 10% of the total site. The latter incorporated a series of connected lakes fed by surface water run-off which has created an attractive landscaped setting for homes located around the periphery. Primary roads within the neighbourhood are designed to allow the operation of buses with the intention of encouraging residents to use public transport as an alternative to the car.

Involvement in the development at Kilminchy gave the practice the opportunity to promote the provision of a purpose designed neighbourhood centre that would become a focus for the community. It contained:-
•   convenience store and small retail units
•   offices (for the Department of Agriculture)
•   14 flats (providing supervision of the centre)
•   public house and restaurant
•   health facilities including dentist, doctors' surgery and pharmacy

The site chosen for the facility was in a central southern position lying on the bus route and close to the nursing and retirement homes, crèche, open space and residential areas.

The neighbourhood centre buildings were designed to reflect the picturesque Irish vernacular giving emphasis to simple architectural forms and the use of slate and painted render.

It is considered that the overall development marks a significant change in large scale residential development in Ireland by introducing well-designed local facilities that will greatly improve the quality of life of the residents.

Tyrellstown, Blanchardstown
Peacock Farm, Bracknell